The crowd turning up at the stadium today were greeted with some nasty showers of rain. While a boggy pitch like this was an advantage for physical players, it really didn't help those who relied on speed or technique. Lineup: Dob - Webb, Panigrahi - K�nzler, Xin Lee, Mohammad Harun, Muthyala, Dong Chu - Egan, Parvathaneni, Xin Seng.

The following players took the field: K�lk�inen - Lindgren, Laukkonen, Suvisuo, Rahikka - Laitinen, Mett�l�, Tuhkalainen, Kasvinen - Antman, Pihlaja.

Grilled Birds started the game in a 2-5-3 formation, whereas FC Stadin Kingit lined up in a 4-4-2. Grilled used their divine (+4) ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the field. Like the adage Bernie Egan's name was chanted throughout the stadium after his goal in minute 14 following a run up the middle gave Grilled the 1 - 0 lead. Grilled players heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their wing attacks to the middle instead. Grilled's Bilal Mohammad Harun saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates 24 minutes in. A counter-attack by STADI after 25 minutes could have resulted in a goal, but Tatu Mett�l�, coming in on the left, waited too long to shoot. Grilled were determined to attack in the middle, even their wing attacks ended up coming through the center. 27 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defense had to look on as Kalki Parvathaneni ran straight through, knocking one home to make it 2 - 0 for Grilled. Ville Kasvinen's speed was almost enough to give STADI a goal after 33 minutes, but his nice pass to Jari Antman was not taken care of properly. Cyril K�nzler increased Grilled's lead to 3 - 0, connecting with a hooked ball from the right. The away fans are claiming handball, to no avail. Halftime score was 3 - 0. Grilled did a good job holding on to the ball, with 67 percent of possession. We'll be back after these interminable commercial messages.

As the 46 minute mark approached, the Grilled manager decided it was time for a substitution. Chu Xin Lee reluctantly made way for Chan Ze Han. Bilal Mohammad Harun should probably have put his team up another goal after 52 minutes, but some great goalkeeping by Kalevi K�lk�inen kept the visitors in the game. Grilled's Cyril K�nzler swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defense were able to clear the ball. With 69 minutes gone, a long pass from the defense of STADI resulted in a counter-attack that set Tatu Mett�l� free through the middle, but the keeper made a spectacular diving save. Heng Dong Chu will have Excedrin Headache number 5 after heading home the hard corner kick from Cyril K�nzler after 70 minutes of play. I'm sure that making the score 4 - 0 will assuage him a bit, though. 80 minutes into the game, Grilled wanted to bring some new energy to their game. Moey Xin Seng gave Vikram Mudaliar a quick hug as he left the field. As Grilled's captain went off, he handed the armband to Chan Ze Han. Vikram Mudaliar had a fantastic opportunity to put Grilled up another goal 80 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. A foul called during a STADI counter-attack resulted in a great chance to score, but Eerikki Laitinen's shot rattled off the post. Kalki Parvathaneni was not content with his team's lead, and tried to extend it 87 minutes into the game after a nice run through the middle, but his shot went wide. STADI certainly deserved a goal after some stunning play down the left, but Jari Antman just wasn't able to finish. As the match nears its end, the referee deemed it appropriate to add 1 minutes as stoppage time. The match ends 4 - 0. Grilled set the tempo, maintaining 66 percent of possession.

Kalki Parvathaneni performed admirably for Grilled. Speaking of stinking up the place, Gilbert Webb sure smelled like the bottom of Batman's shoe after a night of crimefighting in Gotham. The most outstanding STADI player was without a doubt Jari Antman. I can't remember Tapio Laukkonen ever having a worse night than he just had.