That Which Prevails
Yusman Shows Class
Derby games between Grilled and TTTNW have traditionally been hotly contested, and the latest was no exception as TTTNW nicked a come-from-behind win at home to please their impassioned fans. Grilled will be kicking themselves for not taking advantage of the absence of influential defensive midfielder Li Chun-fai, though, and for letting a comfortable two-goal lead go to waste.
As many expected, TTTNW focused on their unique style of stretching defences, with two wide men and the two strikers taking turns to double up on the sides. The early game belonged to
Dani Spirig, however, as the Swiss midfielder grabbed the game by the scruff despite being played out of position on the left.
He first showed good composure to finish off a clever little dinked pass by Subri in the 14th minute, after he made his way behind the backs of never's distracted defenders. He still had a difficult job as Riis closed him down speedily, but he held his nerve to pass the ball just inside the goalkeeper's arms.
Next up was a tremendous dribble by the inspired Spirig down the left, as he gave Portugeuse youngster Miguel Moniz the run-around after slipping past two players from a hemmed-in position on the touchline.
Maikel Rotteveel was on hand to apply the last touch, as Spirig capped the move by thrashing a low cross hard across the face of goal. Rotteveel then tried his luck from a free-kick as regular taker Sid faked a run, but Riis kept his side in the running.
The Birds then seemed to fall prey to complacency, as they became willing to just pass aimlessly around after that second goal. The hosts made them pay in first-half stoppage time, as the already-booked Subri was unwilling to track back after ex-national winger Othman bin Ahmad, who then whipped in a cracking cross for Ángel Ferrer to head in at the far post.
Grilled started the second half more brightly, presumably after a shakedown by their coach, but the rot soon set in again. The Othman-Ferrer combination worked its magic a second time in the 77th minute as Valdir was helpless against Ferrer's strength in the air, and in the next minute was shellshocked when Yusman bin Salim made it three from headers as he launched himself courageously into a stray waist-high miskick.
Having lost the lead, Grilled displayed some fight as
Sandy Edmond gave TTTNW a taste of their own medicine with a sprint down the right side, followed by a good cross on the run for Paullin to thump in. Unfortunately the home side had the last say, as man of the moment Yusman bin Salim wowed his adoring supporters with a late winner for his mother club.
