Outperformed Already
Many of the Birds' players could barely walk by the time the curtain closed on this match, and they would be personally received one and all by
Tian Yonghang, as they trooped off with heads held high. "They had already gone above and beyond against São Messi Imperial FC, and it had to be too much to expect a repeat of that miracle." Tian stated. "Abate are clearly a step above at the moment, and taking them to extra time too is a feat too."
Abate thus advance to take on Dutch challengers Skylla United in the semi-finals, with Canada's White Rock Pylons facing Bulgaria's FC Silent Thunder in the top bracket. "I quite fancy Thunder to take it, actually." Tian predicted. "But it will be close."
The end of August also saw a number of trainees having their final contract extensions run out, amongst them Dakota Henderson and Abe Simon from the Birds, Cheung Jie Teck and Loh Lee De from the Buns, and Samsul Mohd Karim and Ehsan bin Nabil from Grilled International. "Time to get a real job, I suppose." Simon quipped. "Looks like you all will be seeing me in the stands from now on."