Never Minded
Dominating Performance
The team that never was tried to counterattack Grilled to no avail, as the Birds enjoyed the cool overcast weather in front of the second largest crowd in Singapore this weekend. Rotteveel, fresh from his Cup disappointment, wasn't back to his imperious best, but still made his presence felt with a double from sheer alertness alone.
With the reverse against TTTNW last season proving pivotal in Grilled's failed charge to the top, the home players looked extra determined to get all three points in the derby. A smashing run by Subri put them well on their way in the seventh minute, as the wily Malaysian threw off a trio of defenders before rolling a shot that nestled in the bottom corner.
Rotteveel, who had been off the pace, then got his sixth successive league hit from a simple one-two that left the edgy visiting defence flatfooted. Li Chun-fai sprinted back hopefully, but was not going to catch the Dutchman before he curled it past Riis for two-nil.
Sid nearly fetched an assist when he thumped in a solid cross after a raid down the left, but Han Kok's first touch was awkward and TTTNW quickly turned defence into attack with a fortunate clearance. TTTNW's much-storied ex-international striker Yusman bin Salim, who had stints at Chemistry and Rapala NC before returning to his mother club, was the first to test Valdir. There would be no goal in his league debut, though, as his promising twister rang off the crossbar.
John MacKinnon put the result beyond doubt when he barged down the middle to hammer home Number Three, and only Danish goalie Kalle Riis stood between a rapid followup as he reacted with superhuman speed to push Subri's wonder strike around the post.
Even Riis' heroics weren't enough to prevent Rotteveel from anticipating a van Liere cross perfectly and poaching a fourth from an easy header in a quieter second half. That said, he kept out a collection of decent efforts from Subri, and fully deserved plaudits for continuing in the service of his team after falling heavily in coming out for a catch.
