Musketeers Unmasked
Double doubles
Having invited FdgfD Cup three-peaters 11Musketeers to the stately The Acidic City, Grilled proceeded to hand the English Division Four club a six-nil hiding, though admittedly with most of Grilled's star names in attendance. 11Musketeers were well received by the curious crowd of well over five thousand who appreciated their well-designed blue kit with a white cross emblazoned on it, though their defence was ultimately breached as early as the third minute.
It was all a bit of a farce, as
Subri bin Ku Zainol didn't seem to know which way he was facing, much less aiming, when he struck wildly at the ball after failing to throw the persistent Jason Cleary off his back. By some stroke of luck, it headed straight for the far end of Portuguese goalie Eduardo Pais' goal, with Pais knowing he was well beaten but unable to do anything about it.
Hidde van Liere has played well below his best for some weeks now, but the flighted first-time effort on pure instinct after Rotteveel had charged a clearance down was reminiscent of the Dutch master's best days. Pais was equal to it this time, and superbly batted the fierce attempt out from right under the bar.
The Musketeers lived up to their namesake as they credibly forced Grilled into some awkward moments with clever thrusting moves down the wing, until a poor dribble proved their undoing. van Liere was released unhindered down the right, with Jie Siong providing ample support, and the local midfielder came good with his downwards header off the eventual short cross.
Game, set, match after eighteen minutes as Spirig nipped behind Cleary to poke a wayward pass between the advancing Pais' legs, an event which left the keeper furious. He kept his cool to deny Rotteveel what should have been the fourth, as the striker lashed a shot hard to his right. Showing impressive flexibility for a 32 year-old, Pais threw out a leg to deflect it wide.
Already facing a trememdous task, the Musketeers had it made even harder by the exit of strong German youngster Ruben Griessler, who caught an ankle in the turf. English journeyman Matt Allen replaced him, though he did not appear to possess enough energy or craft to aid the midfield as Griessler did.
Pais again was instrumental in keeping his side afloat in the second half, with a reflex punch to a seemingly unstoppable rocket by Sid who arrived late in the box. Spirig would soon dink in his second, though, as he burst through the Musketeers' backline with a simple sidestep.
The Muskeeteers then had a call for a penalty as Greek midfielder Orestis Polichronos crumpled into a heap right on the edge of Grilled's box under some pressure from
Fabian Bona. It was an easy one for the referee, however, as he came running up with a hand in his pocket to draw the yellow card for simulation. With that argument settled after a couple of minutes, Grilled shrugged and got a fifth through Subri's boot. Han Kok finished matters with an inconsequential sixth three minutes from full time.
