Polishing For Gold
Chicken Wings alumni Au Lee Tian left for Polish Division Six side RB LEIPZIG 2o16 for a reported S$450000 today, as Irinel Tarãu seeks to rebuild from the ground up. The 17 year-old winger had also attracted tentative inquiries from Diamond Dragons (Finnish Division Six), De Dorstige Duvels (Belgian Division Five) and Abletonz (Italian Division Six), but none of them were nearly as keen on him as Tarãu was.
Wings scout Mok Feng De, who talent-spotted Au playing for his community club, described him as among the best pure wingers that the youth side has seen for some seasons. "He's naturally two-footed, and has good instincts on when to pass and when to dribble. On this decision-making alone, I have seen few clearly better at his age."
Mok however bemoaned Au's lack of a killer edge. "Physically, he's just above average, which will hurt him at the highest levels. Still, it's early days, and he may yet grow into some extra height or muscle."
About the same time, Italian sixth division side Rosanegra sprung for Grilled International's Hesky Kleden on a free transfer. Kleden had been regarded as a solid midfield prospect, and had gained attention from La Casa De Papel FC (Israeli Division Six) and acs64 (Italian Division Five), before deciding to join up with the Sicilian club.
He raised Rosanegra's recent high-priced acquisitions of young stars Ágoston Orbán and Jasu Penttinen, as evidence of their lofty aspirations. "Where they're going is more important than where they are now, and I think Rosanegra are aiming for the top."
Hesky's dreams of a bright future, alas, were in short supply for his International seniors over in the Netherlands, as they were sent crashing out of the H.I. Sapphire Challenger Cup by R.V.A.V.'17, at the first opportunity.
Yao Erguo's second yellow for his vicious takedown of Panamanian youth international striker Harold Céspedes in the 34th minute lent a bitter edge to the Cup fixture, and substitute Ivan Vujanović would get his revenge with his second touch on coming on.
Though
Osertz Indurain gave International a lifeline with a skilful poach in the 47th to make it 2-3, his teammates were never exactly on the same wavelength, and Emile Cals' injury-time strike only rubbed it in. The 26 year-old Spanish playmaker stormed off by himself once the final whistle went, which doesn't look to bode well for the dressing room.
