Convenient Respite
Simões Show
The early rounds of the Singapore Cup have proven a godsend for the Birds, with some comfortable wins distracting the fans' attentions from less than ideal results in the league. City side team11, a long-running amateur team became Grilled's next victims, as they were downed 0-8 in a game that took a long time to come to life.
Grilled took a changed complement of forwards to team11 Arena, while starting with a solid midfield of Kim, Back and Mourão, who made his first Cup start. Their opponents had made it to the third round with hard-fought victories over shahrukh and Orchard Islanders, but found the Birds a different kettle of fish.
Ângelo Cunha Simões, who returned to scoring agains Sentosa Islanders last week, carried his impressive form over and granted Grilled their expected lead after eleven minutes.
Kyou-Chull Kim was the architect as he drew attention to himself before eyeing a slick through pass, and Simões coolly took it around Tan Guang Keng.
Erik Back was next in line, as the former Luxembourg international found himself some space at the head of the penalty area, and let it rip into the top corner to open his account for the season, having started all games thus far. Simões was on target again in the 32nd minute, and Grilled were on easy street.
The hosts mounted a rearguard action as the half drew to a close, intent on salvaging a consolation for their fans. Sadly, they would have nothing to show for it but a booking for Mohd Dahlan bin Mohd Zain's stout defending. Striker Kamarulzaman bin Sahat then pulled a thigh muscle trying to accelerate past Olsson, and tried to play through the pain before finally handing the baton to substitute Li Man.
Han Lik-Tsun's second-half plans didn't include Back and Mourão, who made way for Josefsson and a clearly-impatient
Ciro Penati, who was reportedly unhappy at being dropped against Arrogancae. The changes however looked ill-advised as Grilled became very light in the middle, with team11 even forcing
Chua Qiang Dong into getting carded for a delaying tactic.
That incident turned out to be their downfall, though, as it led to a quick break, and
Safri bin Mohamad being hauled down on the counterattack. Safrinho would justly end up with the goal from the free-kick, thanks to a helping header from Simões.
The Grilled fans, who had been egging their team on, were not about to be mollified by just four goals, and their encouragement was not in vain as
Tian Yonghang was relieved to get on the scoresheet after a rather disappointing outing. Simões, in contrast, fully deserved his hat-trick, with team11's defenders never quite figuring out how to deal with the muscle-bound Portuguese.
Mohd Firdaus took his season's tally to three with an assured penalty kick, which equals all his previous hauls, bar one. There would be one more as Safrinho surged onto a nice cross by Penati, who hadn't looked too motivated until the very end.
