To Be Young Again
The Grilled clubs would see one academy lad each set off on their professional career today, as their persistence in a difficult market paid off. First up would be Birds wide forward Kamal Manaf, who has leveraged a personal interest in bodybuilding, into a slightly crude but very forceful dribbling style. The 17 year-old will play for decorated Swedish V.340 leaders Klart grabben ska ha en husvagn, who had also just recruited Trinidad & Tobago fellow Rakesh Furia from Cantona Kickers.
Farmer Bunnies sold Hwang Kok Liang to Tanzanian Division Three side Kilimandscharo for a nominal fee, against the will of scout Ooi Long Ming, who felt that Hwang deserved a chance in the Buns squad. Unfortunately, with three current or recent national youth defenders already, and a handful more prepared to make the step up, it was decided that Hwang stood a better chance of regular minutes elsewhere. Kilimandscharo gaffer Rangi Mrutu did think highly of Hwang, from how he was immediately granted the Number Seven jersey. Klart had originally offered to take Hwang together with Manaf, but it was not to be.
Finally, there would be 18 year-old winger Tan Meng Aik from Grilled International, whose combination of crossing ability and height made him a legitimate threat both out wide and cutting in - considerable leadership abilities besides. His relative weakness in other departments limited his suitors, however, and at the end only Saint Vincent and the Grenadines H.A.L VII.3530 club FC Defqon.1 took the plunge.
"He will be missed here." assistant coach Abdillah bin Mohd said.
