Seven Strikes
Third Place Too
Grilled took third placing too in the FdgfD Cup days after achieving it in the S-League, as they saw off English Division Four club Lightning Ball comfortably in the unlikely surroundings of Mongolia, where the Mongol Horde had been kind enough to allow their Naadam Stad to host the match.
Once again, it was a wet day for Grilled in the friendly competition, as though the rainclouds had a mind to follow the team on their travels. The most affected was Lightning's poor Spanish centerback Hadad El-Walid though, as he could not find any purchase on the slick grass. van Liere had no qualms about bypassing him to slice Grilled into the lead.
The match was still up in the air as the rainfall made it difficult for either side to hold possession, and Fjällbratt must have regretted his hastiness in swinging his foot when he somehow lifted the ball onto the bar with the whole goal gaping in front of him.
Lee Jie Siong, who saw what he thought was a sure assist dissipate, collapsed in disbelief at that one.
It turned out to be immaterial as Lightning Ball were out of ideas going forward, and not much better in defence. Spirig and Firdaus did a quick one-two scoring show after thirty minutes, as Lightning's players continued to struggle in the poor conditions, which however was surprising given the average weather in England. Their Swiss defender Hugues Burette had a chance to narrow the scoreline, but didn't trouble Beckman with his weak try.
Peter Fjällbratt then came back with a good solo goal just before the half-time whistle, while Rotteveel, still sore after missing the ten-goal mark for the league season, punished some slack defending with a brace in the second period. Sid might have gotten luckier with his free-kick when the winds carried it to the crossbar, which left it to Fjällbratt to cement victory with a strong direct header, running in at an angle.
