Second Time Loss
Chow Turns Round
The Match Losers once again gave Grilled a fright in the fourth round as they went ahead at half-time, but Stanca's secret weapon of
Chow Ying Lee on the bench gave his side enough quality to destroy the Losers' disciplined defence upon being subbed on. It was overall a disappointing day for the forwards, who all failed to find the net.
The home team were on an excellent start to their season, having won six on the stretch in all competitions, scoring 38 and letting in just two, both of those in the last round against Heruko. Grilled would also testify to their stinginess, their last meeting going to penalties, and with nine of Losers' eleven from that clash returning, many expected more of the same.
Stanca, who had taken over the reins from his assistant coach as the Cup competition enters its interesting phase, would take no chances as he laid out nine first-teamers of his own.
Tian Yonghang, excluded from Sunday's exciting win, would face The Match Losers once again, with
Li Boon Boon and
Wardi Azhari chosen to partner him.
Tian's pre-season streak of form appears to have run its course as he moped unhappily in the mud, too often bullied away from forward passes by the Losers defenders, who clung to Grilled's dangerman tightly. Fortunately, Grilled had gotten a second-minute lead through
Paolo Iten, who finally got his campaign going with a near-perfect free-kick after weeks of coming up against goalies playing out of their skins.
That was about it for the Birds in the first half, as they were outhustled in the rain by their hardworking opponents. Yeo Dong Jia's yellow card for refusing to hand the ball over for a quick free-kick was the only blot on their record as they looked the more lively throughout, and winger Wen Weikun repeated history with another equaliser, this one clipped in from the corner of the penalty area, after 37 minutes.
Grilled might have been pleased to retire to the dressing room on level terms, but that was not to be, as S$4 million Spanish forward Héctor Orbara danced his way around
Lin Jungui, who feared to get too close to him in the box given the slippery conditions, and stuck one low past Stacey. This breakthrough was doubly due, given the home team's superior creativity and that Orbara went off injured last time round.
Stanca was close to fuming as he watched his prized talents get rings run around them, and whatever transpired during his half-time team-talk, Chow stood out as the teams entered the pitch for the second forty-five minutes, with his pristine jersey a stark contrast to the mud-splattered outfits of the rest.
Chow took his time to get going, as his boots failed to find traction on the cut-up surface, but he was well worth the wait. Adapting to the conditions, he slowed down his top speed and concentrated on finding the open man, which he managed brilliantly in the 59th minute.
lu Zunwen did his bit by freeing himself down the left, and applied the lobbed finish with a light touch.
It was Grilled's turn to shine as the players kept passing it to Chow, tasking him with making things happen, and the former U-20 international was happy to oblige. Another assist was on the cards as he drew the centrebacks to him before slipping a through ball for the onrushing
Paolo Iten, who claimed his second of the game coolly.
Now in possession of the lead, Stanca withdrew the slowing
Alex Fonseca for
Yvan Lefébure, who integrated with ease as the Birds moved in for the kill. Not having been challenged to this extent for some time, the hosts wilted under the pressure, and conceded twice more in six minutes with
Lin Jungui following up his goal at the weekend, and Seytek also getting into the act.
Zhu Changchun missed a tight strike before Losers midfielder Lim Feng Chao took advantage of the space behind Grilled's backline to reduce to 3-5, but the Birds were not about to be caught this time, and strung out the final minutes with aid from the weather and a final substitution of
Mayur Gudivada for
Wardi Azhari.
