Zaini Drops Eagles
Sadly, Grilled Birds' comeback in this third round of the World Battle tournament wouldn't be enough for the S-League, as they sank to 82nd place following an overall loss to the Chilean II.2. Sarcastic Fringeheads might have recovered to be on track for an unprecedented fourth straight Singapore Cup, by defeating Robbie Football Club 4-2 midweek, but they were back to looking ordinary in a 1-4 loss to Real Latio F.C., not helped by an early red for Ivan Borichev.
With The EV handily shut out 0-2 by ANGELITA, the S-League would collect no points this week, to
Moey Xin Seng's slight disappointment. "We may be rivals on Sunday, but I consider us all to be on the same side, in this tourney."
Farmer Bunnies for their part were taught a lesson by Costa Rican Primera División leaders AC Täquitos y Túneles, as the decorated visitors smashed them 4-0. "Can't lie, they were like us, just better." Buns supporter Jimmy Lui, 28, observed. "We have a lot of rebuilding to do."
It wasn't good for the either II.1 representatives either, with Arcturules being the only club to get a win, and that by walkover against Jaimitos. Otherwise, Phantasm Hotspurs lost by the same scoreline to Tiquiciacr, and it was left to Corrado Rigotti to score II.1's only goal of the round early against Los Chuzos Ticos, although they would be hammered for four too following that.
Grilled International's terrible string of six losses in their last seven outings would finally be halted, as they were back to something closer to their former self, in defeating The Eagle Flies Alone in Spain. Homegrown midfielder
Zaini bin Hj Kaling was the unlikely hero, as he collected his first career hat-trick at 27 years of age, and after 135 starts with the club.
Zaini would candidly reveal that he hadn't been thinking about anything like that. "I did the first lob because the goalkeeper had come out, but after the second goal, well, the guys were looking out for me." International had to endure some jittery moments as Daniel Siekierko answered with a textbook header, but Zaini would indeed get his treble, after 69 minutes.
Still, this leaves International but sixth in the table, though
Roar Olaisen noted that they remained just four points off leaders Animals!. "This has become a very competitive league, which means that I wouldn't count ourselves out of the chase just yet. A couple of rounds go our way, and we're right back in the thick of it."