High And Dry
Zeng Yes
35 year-old Zeng Yue Jiu gave Grilled supporters a severe case of nerves when he opened the scoring against a slow-starting Grilled Cup team in the fourth minute, but there would be no nightmare as the Birds took control to manufacture an easy 2-7 win to progress to the third round.
The spirit in the Grilled camp was not especially buoyant as they had just fallen to Snowman Athletic by a three-goal margin in the league, even if only Valdir, Branbilla, Talib, Rotteveel and Subri were playing their second game in four days. Bright prospects Jianyong and Chuancheng were put on the wings, as
Ahmad Tharmini bin Selamat was given a rare chance, with his last official appearance being two season ago against WontLoze UTD.
The worst would come quickly, as the semi-professional team composed mainly of former students from a local high school proved themselves rather handy in the air. Yao Kar Wai swung the ball in nicely from a corner kick, and businessman Zeng attacked it fearlessly, banging into a less than determined
Weng Seng-Huat. Valdir was caught flatfooted as the ball was hammered into another opposition player, and rebounded into his far corner.
The travelling fans kept up their cheers though, sure that it was just a blip, and indeed Grilled's professionals were a cut above.
Hu Jianyong continued racking up rave reviews, as he somehow kept the ball at his feet despite several defenders coming at him, and chipped it with the outside of his foot to Rotteveel. The Dutchman's firm header levelled the game, and was followed by another from Subri, and then Selamat's first senior goal, which he celebrated outlandishly.
The hosts were not short on fighting spirit, and Kong Li took one for the team when he held on to the ball after tripping MacKinnon, preventing a near-certain goal had the free-kick been taken quickly and accurately. They were clearly unused to the pace of the game, however, and midfielder Yao Kar Wai went off with a bad cramp after his outstretched leg hit the post in a failed attempt to keep out Mirchev's shot. He was substituted with an assist to his name at least.
The break did chinese high a world of good, and the began the second half with another goal, once again from a corner kick. The scorer this time was 38 year-old tuition teacher Zhou Soon Hin, who made the most of his gangly frame when he climbed above even Talib to guide the ball home. They then competed on close to level terms for some time, until their stamina began to let them down again.
It was then left to Subri to kill off their hopes with two goals in the space of four minutes, and it could have been more had opposition goalie Yuk lung not been on his toes. There were concerns after Jianyong went down clutching his knee after getting caught by a stray boot, but he was up and about in a minute. Rotteveel sounded the bell with a cool finish after Chuancheng's mazy dribble down the left, and followed it up with a dirty challenge and caution.
