Valentine Nine
Hjortlind Roars
Grilled snapped their disconcerting run of three friendly losses in a row, by a margin of 21 goals to one, with a sparkling 6-3 win over Hungarian Division Six side U.D. 05, becoming in the process the 51st country that U.D. 05 have hosted in their history.
The Grilled players could have been forgiven for thinking that they were up against a German side, as U.D. 05's colours of black, orange and white appeared to suggest. More crucially, the hosts gave Grilled's defence the opportunity to face a wing-biased offense before their matchup with the team that never was a few days later, with both main forwards Zoltán Görömböly and László Török known to drop off wide.
Lee Jie Siong, given another chance to prove his long-term future at Grilled, did his prospects no harm by following through a shot by Hjortlind and being at the right place when Vasas could only block it. Actually, Grilled could have been behind as U.D. 05 midfielder Lajos Szoboszlai sprayed a shot just a metre wide two minutes ago.
Few clear-cut chances were seen until the first half approached its end, and then the game exploded into action. First, the strong László Török elbowed his way past Tuan-Mu to win a deadly header fair and square to tie the game at 1-1, before central midfielder Ferenc Hollós found a gap in Bao-Tam's defence to lash a half-volley past him from just inside the box.
Grilled would end up going into the break with their lead intact, as Hjortlind instantly made it all square again with a classy free-kick around the outside of the hosts' defensive wall, totally surprising the goalkeeper who had made his stand at the other end of goal. Goalscorer Hollós then lost his cool and cut Chuan Jing down from behind, getting a yellow card. While Chuan Jing remained on the sidelines getting treatment, Grilled restarted the match and ended up scoring through Kek-Tjiang, who went the direct route straight into the penalty area.
U.D. 05's skill in the air was displayed again in the 59th minute, with Israeli left winger Asher Arbel getting behind
Lim Chuan Jing to whip in one of many crosses. Only Lajos Szoboszlai was in the box, but he more than sufficed as Bao-Tam flapped ineffectually at the dropping ball. Three-all.
Young central defender Oszkár Maróti then had a nightmare moment as he held off Hjortlind for several seconds despite having ample backup. Hodos was ready to cover, but Maróti did nothing and Hjortlind himself appeared shocked at having so much space well inside the penalty area. He shrugged and picked his spot to return the lead to Grilled.
Hjortlind finished the day with a hat-trick as he slammed home a sidewards pass by Alcántara, and Grilled began to dominate the play as U.D. 05's attack wilted along with László Török, who had to leave the field to rehydrate himself. Hjortlind and Swee Pheng swept in long-ranged efforts that nearly made it, but it was left to winger/forward
Allan Ødegaard to close shop from four metres in the 85th minute.
