International Stay Down
Grilled International wouldn't manage to promote to Division Four on their second try, as they were denied 4-5 by Swiss hosts Evolaianer. International edged their opponents in possession statistics, but their defensive situation would be their undoing, as
Didi Reidenbach's suspension left it in the non-specialist charge of
Safari bin Hj Jali and
Hardi bin Besar. One non-defender was tenable with Reidenbach's guidance, but two meant that Evolaianer would beat
Querubim Santos Couto four times by the break.
None of those were the custodian's fault either, but despite the dismissal of Bryan Pagès for a shove on Hardi in the 52nd minute, and a passion-filled injury-time strike by Safari, International never had enough in them to take the lead.
Man in charge
Roar Olaisen grimly accepted his team's limitations. "We saw how important Didi is to our whole structure today. I'm sorry for the fans, but I speak for the team when I say that we are aiming to promote automatically for next season."
Beyond the pitch, there was much off-season movement of trainees, with French Division Five side elisa club adding the Busy Bees midfield pair of Hambali bin Hj Nasri and Metali bin Zambrin to their shopping spree. Zulfadly bin Hj Ratano, who had recommended them both to the Bees, saw the free transfers as a thoughtful deal. "This should help them to acclimatize to their new surroundings all the quicker. Many talented youngsters have fallen by the wayside due to feeling left out."
Grilled Birds and Farmer Bunnies were also involved in free moves, with playmaker Koh Ze Keong and winger Loo Jin Ho shifting to Akatalili Fc (Greek Division Five) and Spiked Bat Intellectuals (Swedish Division Five) respectively. Both will be hoping to gain opportunities in freshly-formed squads with all places up for grabs.