Smartly Done
Stacey Nearly
Grilled's eleven-match unbeaten streak was ended by the visiting Changi Genius, who got their maiden win over the Birds as academy winger Chen Zerong recorded a memorable first professional goal. Grilled made no secret that the match was a dress rehearsal for taking on soccerid on Wednesday, though, and rested several important midfielders as
Vukota Crkvenjakov made a welcome return, gaining his 50th start, and
Slavcho Tzonkov his first.
The fans were not exactly surprised to witness a conservative 5-2-3 from their team, with lead striker
Domenik Bögengang left out of the lineup altogether. Safrinho was handed his first league appearance for the season, with a closed game seemingly on
Han Lik-Tsun's mind.
It soon became clear that Canadian goalie
Dexter Stacey would have to play a starring role if Grilled were to take anything from this game, as their two-man midfield was completely overrun. Grilled's backline, comprising three experienced former internationals, did at least keep attackers at bay most of the time, though Stacey had to be called into action in just the fifth minute as Arnout Cevaal bent in an excellent free-kick.
Grilled were made to pay for their lack of enterprise in the 23rd minute, as Changi's pressure finally told. Jesús Salinas Mila blessed Chen Zerong with a fine infield pass despite having taken a knock to his knee early on, and Chen went for it with an immediate strike that saw Stacey slightly out of position. The grounder eluded Stacey's dive, and Grilled's goalie had to watch helplessly as it trickled in by the post.
Despite being the home side, Grilled mustered nary a response as they were pummeled by an encouraged Changi side, and Stacey had to be on his toes to keep Brazilian midfielder Jadilson Cabrito's rising shot out before half-time. He was at it again after the restart, as Cevaal came close again with another free-kick scorcher that was expertly held onto by Stacey as opposition forwards rushed in.
Han didn't seem too concerned as he watched his side concede possession, and his answer to Changi's substitution of Per Nessholt for Rãzvan Georgescu was his usual Plan B of throwing some midfield bulk, in the form of
Erik Back and
Gleb Dorogan this time, on. While they managed to stabilize play somewhat, Grilled were out of ideas going forward, and conceded the points grudgingly.
