Angel Rising
Super Seven
Grilled's fans enjoyed an unexpected piece of good news when it was announced that
Valdir Dias Paes had not fractured anything and would be available to face TTTNW after all, but even the Brazilian goalkeeper could not prevent four goals from getting past him as Grilled ran the hosts close only to fall at the final hurdle.
Both West clubs were on a high after hard-fought wins last Sunday, but the home team seized the initiative as they expectedly used the full width of the Hell Hole pitch. Wingbacks Sid and Talib were strained as they were made to patrol ceaselessly, and a lapse allowed Othman bin Ahmad in to test Valdir with a hard drive. No worries yet for Grilled's goalie, however.
Valdir was well beaten by a perfect diagonal lob by the hardworking Ángel Ferrer soon after, as TTTNW began to really play up the wings. Grilled tried to adjust, but could not fully compensate, and Erik Lewing took full advantage as Othman pulled three men away from the middle and sent a low ball in to make it two-nil.
Grilled were in a whole lot of trouble, until Subri bailed them out with an astounding rocket from all of thirty metres that left Riis reeling. TTTNW attempted to bite back immediately with a chain of passes that gave Stefan Nilsson a half-chance, but the veteran Swede blew it well wide.
Grilled showed much more fight after the break and had TTTNW on the backfoot for once, and after a sustained spell of pressure the gritty
Dani Spirig muscled his way through a throng of players and stuck a leg out to touch the equaliser past a diving Riis. He went one better in the next match-up between the two, as he leapt full force into the Danish goalkeeper and sent Riis sprawling, albeit with ball firmly clutched to chest.
The pain set in when Riis tried to stand, though, and it was not a scene Grilled supporters enjoyed, given Valdir's recent encounters. The worst was realised when Riis had to be given oxygen, and the inexperienced Li Ciying asked to take over.
Grilled were understandably eager to test the untried 22 year-old newbie, but TTTNW had other ideas and struck home on their very next attack. Valdir appeared to have his near post well covered, but Grigore Morariu's pinpoint snap-shot was still too much for him.
The match was becoming a real cracker, as both sides got into the mood and produced some breathtaking end-to-end action. After a near miss by Yusman, Grilled flooded upfield without reservation, and the sheer number of bodies allowed Rotteveel to peel away unmarked.
Dani Spirig couldn't miss such a wonderful opportunity, and Rotteveel made it look easy with a grounder inside the far post.
It appeared to foreshadow a draw as Grilled drew back from the kickoff, but against all expectations the balance lasted but two minutes, as Ángel Ferrer finished what he had begun with another wondrous lob that Valdir was powerless against.
