Changi Offed
Returning Behr Scores
The Birds pulled off an unexpected victory in style against leading Pasir Ris club Changi Genius, putting four past Dror Sapir as they rose to second in the table to sit just one point behind Arrogancae.
With an eye on the upcoming Cup game against Joejos78 FC, Grilled travelled to Changi Genius Arena with a defensive gameplan, and introduced Behr and Jungui together for the first time at the back. Pujolràs and Lefébure were tasked with holding midfield together, as Back and Dorogan fanned out to provide width.
Facing them was a Changi Genius side stalling after a brilliant start to the season which saw them win their first five matches, notching an amazing 37 goals in the process. They hit a bump against Arrogancae, losing by four, and never quite recovered in the league as another loss to newbies, and a draw against seluraralc, followed.
Their defence, led by Dutchman Arnout Cevaal and staffed by local veterans Megat Amir Faisal bin Zainal and Mohd Rosedy bin Kunju Mohamad, the former once an U-20 talent, had always been solid though, and a low-scoring affair appeared to be on the cards - at least until Grilled's brilliant young combination of Mohd Safri and Chow beat it in the ninth minute.
While the Changi Genius backline was many things, it was not especially young and sprightly, and Chow was both in spades. Excellent tactical positioning proved for naught when the speed merchant simply hit the ball ahead of him and sprinted, and
Mohd Safri bin Mohd Kassim finally broke his league scoring duck for the season with a follow-up at the far post.
It was a relief for Grilled's rising star, who had just come off another slightly disappointing outing with the U-20 side, hitting the post against Georgia. Grilled inexplicably continued to get the better of the match, and Bögengang picked up where he left off from the spot, converting after Turpin held Mohd Safri back in the box.
The home fans were getting restless as Grilled continued to threaten their goal, with Chow nearly getting one of his own in the 37th minute, denied only by Sapir's acrobatics. Romanian oldster Georgel Petricã decided to take matters into his own hands as he cut down Mohd Safri, leaving the U-20 striker clutching his leg in pain. This tactic, while less than noble, did work out, as the Birds lost their colour and stumbled to half-time.
Two-nil was a dangerous lead to hold, especially away from home with one of the team's best players out, and Changi's head coach Jordan Dassen certainly wasn't giving in yet. After a promising start to the second half, he called midfielder Jesús Salinas Mila to the touchline to receive instructions - but only for Bögengang to win a free-kick and then send it whizzing into the net in the player's absence.
This must have been hard for the home side to take, but they can be lauded for not throwing in the towel, with additional adjustments made as they continued chasing the game. Unfortunately for them, Grilled had an experienced back three of their own, and they successfully kept Changi's hasty attacks at bay.
There was to be a final sting in the tale, as
Erik Back broke quickly on a Grilled counterattack, and won another free-kick on the edge of the box. Bögengan squared it this time as the wall jumped in anticipation of another scorcher, and
Ronny Behr was on hand to make it four.
Even the staunchest of Genius supporters had to admit that it was all over when that went in, and those that stayed in hope of an equaliser would only catch a nasty tackle by
Yvan Lefébure during the closing stages.
