A Final Step
To The Pinnacle
Grilled took the penultimate step towards title glory as they handily survived their trip to Avengers Apocalypse, despite being behind in possession for most of the match. Singapore's most expensive side made it tough going, but the Birds held their shape in a traditional 4-4-2, and a goal in each half by each of their strikers was enough.
Up against the redoubtable Macedonian goalkeeper Zmejko Nadzakov with winger
Sandy Edmond down with a niggling calf strain, Liehner had no option but to concentrate Grilled's firepower through the middle, and play without any width whatsoever. This played right into the hands of the home side, who might have dealt Grilled an early knockout as Freerk Dorrepaal ghosted behind the defence from the left flank.
Unwittingly played onside by Sid, and with the ball just ten metres from goal, Dorrepaal seemingly had far too much time and space to think. Valdir was caught in two minds whether to spring at the forward, but the decision was taken out of his hands when Dorrepaal fired right into his chest.
Twenty minutes on, Arrogancae had another golden opportunity as Kyrgyzstan player-coach Seyit Kerimov ran wide around a struggling Sid and hoisted a wonderful cross right to the waiting Roberto Valiardo. Again, having the luxury of time was a bane, as Valiardo couldn't decide whether to go for the direct header or take it with his feet, leaving Árva's big boot to clear it into the terraces.
Grilled then appeared in with a shout as they put together a few passes in the Arrogancae half, and Cornelus van Schie appeared to have upended Subri in a very promising spot for a free-kick. The referee hurried over, but to Subri's horror flashed him the yellow which would see him banned from the final showdown against Rollin'. The Malaysian forward moved forward with a strange look on his face to confront the referee, only to be rugby tackled by vice-captain Han Kok, who had seen this scenario and its outcome often enough.
The knowledge that this game would be the end of his season drove Subri on admirably, however, and some mad running saw him shake free of the Arrogancae defence and somehow get to an optimistic forward pass by MacKinnon. His heavy touch appeared to let him down, but it was hard enough to fly past a bemused Nadzakov in a split-second. Whatever - a striker takes goals no matter how they come, and the lucky Subri celebrated like a man possessed.
With the all-important lead in the bag, Grilled held their lines and focused on shutting opposition movement down, and were helped by the lack of an outstanding creative spark in the Arrogancae midfield. The hosts pinged the ball around at will, but whenever it entered the final third, they found themselves wanting for real ideas.
Enter
Maikel Rotteveel to find his 18th league goal this season, and the 125th of his career, against the run of play. Collecting a ball to foot over twenty metres distant of the net, the Dutchman transferred it from his weak left foot to his stronger right one and slammed a slightly dipping monster of a shot just outside Nadzakov's reach.
That was it for the Birds, and to Liehner's credit he managed to stop his men switching off like they did against TTTNW. A clash of knees saw Austrian defender Walter Nidetzky limp off in the 75th minute, but that brought about a heartstopping moment for the Grilled fans as the free-kick was taken quickly and saw Dorrepaal clean onto goal. A tremendous burst of acceleration by Talib allowed him to put in a last-ditch saving tackle, though, which brought applause from the appreciative travelling supporters.
Grilled could have made it three as they absorbed a faltering Arrogancae assault and sent Branbilla tearing down the right, but support was not forthcoming and he was reduced to knocking the ball about the corner flag. It wouldn't matter, however, as Grilled had achieved the platform they required - one which would see them lift the coveted S-League trophy by not losing in the final fixture.
