Wounded Lions Whitewashed
Paullin Crocked
As influential goalie Chew Xiaolun was all that stood between Team Singapore and a rather embarassing scoreline last week, his absence due to injury all but extinguished their hopes of holding Grilled down at The Cooking Pot. Chew's replacement Li Heng Meng started strongly but was beaten seven times by the end, though Valdir would not escape unscathed either as he let in a late consolation.
The Cooking Pot held a slightly disappointing 78000-old crowd despite Grilled having racked up ten victories on the trot, although the incredibly hot weather may have convinced some to stay home. The temperature was reflected by the attitude on the pitch, as Grilled's men were obviously under orders to test Team Singapore's substitute keeper early and often.
Dani Spirig shot on sight in the second minute from just outside the box, which Li did well to parry to the side.
Team Singapore were not present just to defend, however, and after another careless raid, one of their defenders found Vaios Rodostoglou with a mighty low pass that almost crossed the length of the field. The Greek striker intelligently hoisted it at Valdir's bottom corner before he could be tackled, but was off target by a bit.
Sid then failed to get a free-kick over the wall, a rare occurance, but he was outstanding in other respects, linking up well with Edmond as they dominated the right flank. The opening goal was all Edmond's own, though, as the American powered past all comers and caught Li flat-footed with a diagonal lob.
Grilled were then unfortunately hit by the injury they were fearing, as Loh Quang-Nhut misjudged his sliding tackle and upended a sprinting
Lorenz Paullin. Loh was only given a yellow as both players were racing for the ball at high speed, but from the expression on Paullin's face, he will be out for some time.
Ciro Penati was the eager replacement on the left wing, and the young Italian was a large factor in setting up
Han Lik-Tsun for a sitter in the 41st minute. That made it 3-0 for the hosts, as Sid had earlier readjusted his sights and blown an unsaveable direct free-kick past a hapless Li. It was incidentally the Polish sharpshooter's 50th league goal for Grilled.
It became a question of how many in the second half, as forwards Subri and Rotteveel added to their respective tallies after flowing moves down the flanks. Sid got the sixth of the game as he found the top corner from open play, and Rotteveel could have had a couple more had he not visibly wilted in the sweltering heat.
Valdir would not have a clean sheet though, as Team Singapore showed good spirit to counterattack at pace after
Dani Spirig struck the bar from distance. Grilled's defence was completely unprepared for their ferocity, and midfielder Lim Kiong Kiong redeemed some pride with a no-nonsense finish from eight metres. That was not to be the final word though, as
Nawaz Talib cheekily nutmegged Li to bring the crowd to their collective feet.
