Dai-Lin Delight
Ma Behind Triple
Ma Dai-Lin put only one away but strikers
Tim Hobson and
Chen Chiew-Yen have him to thank for four of their five goals, to kick off the new season wonderfully. Disgruntled at his lonely goal in the historic first Cup outing, Hobson flared up against Percosaria's centreback Kumar and not only escaped a foul but scored quickly. Siu-Cheung's cool side came out in the 12th minute, where he showed admirable control to jiggle past goalie Chian-fong at the other end.
Dai-Lin continued gamely after a brief spell recovering on the touchline, and was instrumental in starting the sweeping move down the left that Hobson ended at a stroke. The English striker's boot to Roziman bin Mahayuddin's knee put the Percosaira midfielder out of the game, and it was left to
Chen Chiew-Yen to head in two goals for Grilled to be cruising comfortable by half-time.
Dai-Lin's unpredictable free role in the middle let
Tom Pence have an easy decision, as Dai-Lin appeared metres away from the nearest defender. Dai-Lin had been taking some jibes for his spotty finishing, but brooked no criticism with a delectable left-foot-to-right transfer that had Tao Chian-fong falling to the wrong side. Pence loved the space that Chokappanayagan Chowdhury allowed him on the left, doing a stop-and-go move for Hobson to power home.
