The rain was pouring down at the stadium today. The pitch was a disaster, due to all the rain. This spelled problems for the more sophisticated players, who usually could rely on speed or technique. For those relying on grit and strength, it actually meant an edge. Starters: Salmiņš - Panigrahi, Webb - Xin Lee, Chuan Yong, Mazhud, Mohammad Harun, Dong Chu - Ze Han, Mudaliar, Xin Seng.

Lineup: Sohrab - Cheekoo, Vodolazko, Elkanishvili - Ulset, Jancz, Bernardus, Pano, Irani Parast - De Gasperi, Haymann.

Grilled Birds started the game in a 2-5-3 formation, whereas FC HÄYHÄ lined up in a 3-5-2. Grilled mostly ignored the flanks in favor of their divine (+6) (26) ability to attack in the middle. Oh, it's a stupendous shot on goal! A Caravaggio! A Michelangelo! A Venus on the Half Shell! 6 minutes into the match and Vikram Mudaliar has created art for the ages for Grilled, putting them ahead 1 - 0. Oh, I'm weeping. I can't stop my eyes. 25 minutes had passed when Grilled put themselves up 2 - 0 after the visiting defenders lost the ball to Teo Chuan Yong, who came up from the left and proceeded to easily go around the goalkeeper and knock the ball home. Grilled players heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their wing attacks to the middle instead. Cheers filled the stadium as Vikram Mudaliar broke through the visitors' central defense to put away the 3 - 0 goal for Grilled. With 37 minutes played, FC HÄYHÄ's Ezechiele De Gasperi received a yellow card for challenging a play with his cleats first. It was obvious that Grilled had instructions to attack in the middle when they directed a break on the wing into the center of the park. 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 39 minutes in. It was 3 - 0 at the break. Looks like Nate Silver was right again - his prediction that Grilled would have 57 percent possession in this half was spot on!

Given a free kick from a ways out after 47 minutes, Grilled sent an arching ball into the penalty box. It was headed clear, but Vikram Mudaliar was waiting just outside the area and fired it home to make it 4 - 0. That made three goals for Vikram Mudaliar. He'll be taking the match ball home with him having scored a hattrick! Against a lesser team, Grilled could very well have succeeded with their smart indirect free kick combination after 52 minutes. A trio of passes took the ball all the way past the defenders, but by then the intended recipient was blocked off and the keeper could make a leisurely save. Desperate for a goal, FC HÄYHÄ's Varlam Elkanishvili saw that the home team's keeper was off his line. Coming in from the right side, his chip successfully reduced the lead to 4 - 1. After 65 minutes, the Grilled coach wanted to see a new face on the field, waving Vikram Mudaliar off. Kalki Parvathaneni took his place. 72 minutes in, an amazing pass from the left side resulted in a golden chance for the visitors. Ezechiele De Gasperi was up to the task and scored, bringing them up to 4 - 2. As the 80 minute mark approached, the Grilled manager decided it was time for a substitution. Chu Xin Lee reluctantly made way for Salah Kamel. The referee decided to let play continue for an additional 2 beyond the regular 90 minutes. The match ends 4 - 2. Grilled had the upper hand in possession, maintaining an impressive 56 percent possession of the ball.

Chan Ze Han performed admirably for Grilled. You can tell it was nickel beer night yesterday at the local bar because Gilbert Webb seemed to stumble all over the pitch. FC HÄYHÄ's top performer was clearly Gianluca Haymann. Even six year old fans were wincing at the poor play by Ghazanfar Cheekoo today.