Almost Through
Grilled's
Mohd Safri bin Mohd Kassim had nothing but praise for four-goal man Settimio Franceschini at the post-match press conference. "I've had good days too, but I can't recall anything like this! If I ever affect a match singlehandedly like he did before I retire, I can leave happily."
Franceschini's feat means that he leads the tournament top scorer table together with Dodogado's Ángel Badillo, but Grilled will be satisfied with garnering the full nine points over three games. One more win, against either Scallop Soccer Team or Ho Seh Liao, will guarantee advancement, and with the latter still without a point despite their best efforts, the Birds look good to go.
Abdul bin Jantan would however prefer the matter to be settled by next Monday, especially since a draw then would do it also, as it would take Grilled to ten points with Scallop meeting Tampines in the final round. "We're due a win against them. I think our two matches thus far are not a good reflection."
It might be curtains for organizers and two-time winners Be Champions FC however, as they were upset by Tampines to leave them on just three points; they will have to win their remaining games, and hope for results to go their way. However, one senses that they might not be too bothered, with a Cup semifinal looming on Wednesday.
Fellow semifinalists Dodogado had fewer problems in the other group as they smashed Kampung United 5-1, but are still outside the qualification slots too as Random Curiosity FC and Edbe FC both won their matches too. Their fixture against Curiosity next week will be one to watch, and could well decide the fate of Group A.
