End Of The Tunnel
Draws Return
The Birds saw some light after successive defeats, once again coming from behind to tie things up against Shining Lights to split points with them for the season. The efficacy of Grilled's fresh-faced forwards however remained a concern, as both of Grilled's goals came out of defence.
Visitors Shining Lights had hit seven past BDSM FC in their home-and-away series prior to this, and with national defenders Zabidi bin Katmon and Mohd Rizalruddin bin Nan anchoring a five-man backline, it was hard to see where Grilled's goals would come from.
As anticipated, the strikers wilted when faced with opposition that appeared at times to read their every move, which led to long bouts of square passing followed by useless Hollywood balls. With Bögengang gone, there was no old head to instruct them to keep things simple and be patient, and it might have continued indefinitely until the 33 year-old
Rosendo Chinchay sold a brilliant dummy in the 28th minute to record his first goal for Grilled.
The lead lasted less than a minute, as Shining pressed forward right from the restart, with right winger Pedro Lezaun encountering no resistance as he glided down his flank. Grilled concentrated on massing in the middle, but Lezaun struck an unthinkable cross that evaded Back's raised leg and went between two leaping defenders before leaving Martin Pierrot with an easy standing header.
Alex Fonseca could have given Grilled a cushion to take into the dressing room for half time, but he couldn't time his contact with Back's delivery properly, and ended up pushing the ball inches wide of the post with his sole. Tellingly, none of the forwards was anywhere near that ball.
With little prospect of breaking through, Han threw
Yvan Lefébure for Grilled's only true defender
Lin Jungui, while his opposite number Guilhem Huss responded by pulling goalscorer Martin Pierrot off for Lin Khong Hai. Huss' would look the more inspired change, as the substitution was immediately followed by Markus Võigemast outpacing the exhausted Chinchay to finish with an assured grounder past Stacey.
Thus, Grilled were again left searching for a way back, and captain
Gleb Dorogan tried in vain to pick out a pass from deep, impatiently gesturing for his teammates to make themselves available whenever he got the ball. His tenacity was eventually recognized, though not from any clever passing movement but from a straightforward soaring header from Lefébure off a corner, well delivered by
Marc Pujolràs.
Grilled's underperforming forwards had one last chance to redeem themselves, but new line-leader Safrinho blew it by blasting across the face of the goal. Antonio Trielli, who had scored against Grilled in their last meeting, could then have put his side into second spot, but had his aim off to the relief of the home support.
