Sentosa Slipped By
Chan Takes Chance
In a much-anticipated first meeting between the Birds and Sentosa veterans Sentosa Soccer Club, Grilled were not about to underestimate their opponents and turned up with a side mostly composed of regulars. The exceptions were
Dan Seng starting his second match in goal,
Colby Awyong at the back, a steadily-developing
Pompeo Bellamoli on the wings, and
Leong Wan Kang taking
Tian Yonghang's usual post in the hole.
Sentosa had won all their last six matches leading up to this meeting, conceding only two goals in the process, but showed no sign of being overconfident as they sat back with a defensive mentality, aiming to get forward through young wonders Low Da Tse and Pang Shi Puay on the flanks. They produced several interesting developments early, but the honour of the opening goal would fall to
Leong Wan Kang, who arrived ahead of his far more famous strike partners to scruff in his third goal in as many starts.
The hosts were still doing a fine job of staying in the game, while being heavily supported by the nearly 45000 fans who had turned up despite the thunderstorm, at least up till the 39th minute when
Chow Ying Lee dinked a second goal in, after Grilled played methodically towards the inside from a position on the right.
That was the beginning of the end for Sentosa's hopes, as their defence finally ran out of steam.
Alex Fonseca, drafted in for Cup duties after
Woon Shun An's injury, showed that his Player of the Season awad was no fluke as he spotted
Mohd Safri bin Mohd Kassim's signalled pass to drill a third in.
Chow Ying Lee was on hand with the fourth, as Ong Guang Chang bought Bellamoli's dummy, allowing the Italian trainee time to find Chow with a calm cross.
That was not enough to keep Chow on the field, however, and the striker didn't look happy at not being able to complete a hat-trick, as he was substituted by
Winston Chan during the break.
Seytek Djekshenkulov was unbothered in comparism, if his broad smile as he patted
Teo Yong Yau into the mire was any indication.
Grilled were clearly out to finish the game while risking as little as possible, which was sensible given the verging-on-dangerous conditions. This gave Sentosa's Jack Chang, playing only his third senior match after being scouted, space to shine, and Chang's determination in elbowing Awyong aside before heading in a diagonal ball from Low should place his in good stead for a future starting place.
The Birds were not short on young heart either, and Chan, who has had trouble attracting a suitable move after graduating from the Chicken Wings half a year ago, will at least have something to remember if a career in football doesn't pan out. Low on options after being isolated in the middle, he turned his marker briefly before sending a scorcher, especially impressive in the blinding rain, at goal, taking Sentosa goalie Phua Jun Jian completely by surprise.
Sentosa would answer through 19 year-old forwad Raja Ridha Khairul Ridhwan, whose prior ineffectiveness under these unfavourable conditions was forgotten as he changed tack and slipped in through a gap from the left.
Dan Seng's inexperience showed as he decided to come out far too late, giving Ridhwan an easy finish. Still, Grilled's progression was never in doubt.
