Double Departure
18 year-old trainees Ma An Dong and Tan Pin Meng waved goodbye to Grilled today, after they were accepted by A.Kayz (Singapore Division Four) and A.S. Palliccio (Italy Division Eight) respectively, on nominal fees.
Tan Ping Meng, who endured a stressful couple of weeks of waiting, ended up with two offers, the other from Dutch Division Eight side FC Inspira. That was however the furthest thing from his mind as he prepared to leave for his new club, where he will drop by to visit Chua Meng Li at tuttirossi.
Tham Beng Li, who scouted Ma, thought it odd that the wide midfielder was not in higher demand. "His style is the splitting image of former Grilled icon Ma Dai-Lin, and as it turns out they may even be distantly related." Tham let slip. "He has as cultured a touch as they come, and is extremely mature for his age, even if he tends to, ahem, hit the deck a bit more than necessary."
Ma himself didn't look disappointed as he arrived at the AK Stadium in Toa Payoh, which will be his new home for the foreseeable future. "It's a good move. I think I stand a good chance of working my way into the first team here."
While head coach
Niculae Stanca might not have found Ma a suitable fit for Grilled's flanks, he has admitted to watching 27 year-old former Chicken Wings winger Leong Chun Woon's situation closely. Leong has impressed with Polish side Czesiulki for many a season, but Stanca accepted that he will stretch Grilled's budget.
"Our wing play has been one of our stark weaknesses, and Leong would be an extremely useful option to have, without adding the fact that he's a local boy." Stanca declared to the club fanzine. "He would certainly have added another dimension to our Cup run... damn!"
