Watching With Interest
The win made it four out of four in this edition of the SG Super Cup, and confirmed that Grilled would go through as Group B winners. An intriguing combination of results mean however that four teams have about an equal chance of joining the Birds, with Fafane Club, Tampines Phoenix F.C., Scallop Soccer Team and Be Champions FC all tied on six points, the former two having the slight advantage of a +1 goal difference.
"Now, this is unexpected." hat-trick hero
Chow Ying Lee noted. "It'll make the bookies very happy, to be sure!" The striker then admitted that he hadn't the heart to taunt Mohd Safri back, after the game. "He won't admit it, but he's in a bit of a funk right now. Given how many seasons he's been at full tilt, though, I'd say he deserves to be allowed to work it off."
Scallop will be without the influential Tuval Machnes against the Phoenixes, who would likely have gone through had they defeated Fafane Club. They were in a great position to after Fafane striker Dries Van Landuyt got sent off in the first half, but Fafane utilized their ten men wisely, and Vladimir Stupachenko sped in to notch the winner in the 65th minute.
Be Champions FC meanwhile put themeselves in position to create another miracle with a counterattacking 2-0 win over Ho Seh Liao, and all they have to do now is to beat Fafane to give themselves a good shot at progress. Of course, that may be easier said than done.
In the other group, Random Curiosity FC are through after winning all their four games too, and Edbe FC will follow with a draw against them in the final round. The other Singapore Cup finalists Dodogado do still have a mathematical chance, but it'll take a large win over Team of Semipro, coupled with a stiff Edbe defeat.
While some in the Grilled squad are already relishing a probable semifinal against former league rivals Edbe FC, Stanca stated that he would be happy to meet whoever he has to. "We'll be fielding some reserves against Ho Seh Liao, given that it will be of completely no consequence for either team. No sense in losing any of our key men to suspension, given that the semifinals will be tough. Very tough."
