Tomoto Caught Up
Rimbeaux Rarity
Struggling Tomoto fruit fought Grilled to a standstill at home, as their strong midfield quartet continues to be let down by a weak defence. Ursin Fallot and Ohad Galansky, the two main strikers in a three-pronged Tomoto frontline, would not have looked out of place in any local side, but it was left to Swiss wingback Maurice Rimbeaux to contribute with his first league goal of the season.
Grilled were confident of getting something out of the contest given that they had beaten the same opposition 2-0 not long ago, but Tomoto were a completely different proposition at home. Four of their five points thus far have come at Tomoto fruit Arena, including an impressive 4-1 hiding of Shining Lights.
Whether or not it was a matter of game-raising, the visiting Birds were thoroughly outplayed in the opening exchanges, though fortunately the best of Tomoto's chances went to an inexperienced Felix Singh, who was far too eager to shoot. All eyes were on an unmarked Galansky when Rimbeaux found himself in possession at the head of the penalty area, but contrary to all expectations, Rimbeaux lifted the ball in the other direction - and right over an unprepared Valdir.
The success-hungry Tomoto players didn't quite mind judging by their extended celebrations, and pressed the advantage. Fallot became slightly subdued after a nasty slide into Lik-Tsun that could have done serious damage had the victim not sidestepped it. The yellow card didn't stop Fallot from supplying a rampaging Aris Kousoulakis with a good pass, but Kousoulakis put it over.
Grilled finally got going as the half was winding to an end, and they had
Quah Han Kok's creativity to thank for the equalising goal. Anticipating Rimbeaux's run into a blind alley, the wide midfielder got a headstart sprinting down the left flank, and was indeed picked out by
Nawaz Talib. Subri had joined in the counterattack, and between the two of them they easily bypassed Kousoulakis to score.
Rotteveel could have done a repeat moments after the kickoff, but started just a yard too far behind and failed to catch up to Kousoulakis in time. His final lunge was both ugly and badly advised, and took the defender down hard. The yellow card was flashed, and it was well deserved.
Grilled's continued with some fine flowing football after the break, but that purple patch was concluded when Rotteveel dragged his shot a long way wide, minutes after his smart lob pinged off the crossbar. Tomoto defender Skogsten looked particularly uncomfortable during that period, and was fortunate to come off with just a booking for his incessant hassling of Grilled's Dutch forward.
The referee's leniency cut both ways, as
Ciro Penati somehow escaped scot-free despite almost slamming Ibrahim bin Ashaari to the grass during a scary Tomoto break down the left. The local winger could scarcely believe it when the referee neglected to card Penati, and had to be kept away by his teammates. Captain Gianluigi Malpede made a good go of it from the free-kick some distance out, but didn't overly trouble Valdir.
The intensity of the game finally took its toll, and the steady Kousoulakis had to be substituted after Rotteveel's follow-through caught him. The referee refused to send Rotteveel off, despite strong protests from both Tomoto's players and supporters. Venezuelan replacement Roberto Soliz was not quite as canny, but his freshness made up for that.
That was not the last change to be made, as Ibrahim appeared to feel the effects of Penati's illegal challenge as the game wore on. He hobbled off clutching his knee, with Czeslaw Lesinski coming on for him only five minutes later, though frankly it made little difference to the match.
