Barbalona Overmatch
Caraballo Precision
The Birds signed off the World Battle tournament with a defeat to sign off on a 3-1-3 record, as Panama II.3 hosts FC. Barbalona prised a 2-1 victory from efficient attacking. They converted both of their shots on target, with Grilled managing just one of their eight, was was testament to Italian custodian Andrea Pignatelli's unwavering concentration.
The Birds might have heeded the warning from Pignatelli's weekend exploits against Sarnosos, in which he likewise saved almost everything that was thrown at him, save a 62nd minute stunner by Nigerian striker David Mawa. Former Comoros U-20 star Billal Mohamed would be their main draw at right forward, with Colombian left winger Juan Gilberto Izagirre their set piece specialist. Homegrown defender Gustavo Jaime captained their side, which lined up in a tight 3-5-2.
Grilled had
Chad Thach start in attack as his rehabilitation continued, but the initial going was not kind for the Birds.
Lim An Keng's tendency to tuck in left French winger Dorian Peltier with perhaps more room than he was used to, which allowed him several good crosses from wide right. One of those eluded
Johann Schwietzer's running leap in the eighth minute, and Billal Mohamed crashed a tremendous volley off the turf and in off the far post.
Radomil Marcol could hardly be blamed for not getting to that one, and it was left to the Birds players to try and work themselves back into contention. Grilled didn't do too badly actually, with
Ananda Hettiarachchi a cut above at times, with his clever footwork and pacing. An almost languid dribble opened a way for
Chad Thach in the 18th minute, but Mauricio Arévalo stepped in to take most of the power off the shot.
The half ended 1-0 as Grilled couldn't muster the finishing edge, with their top opportunity probably being Schwietzer's attempt from five yards some 29 minutes in, after Luca Feola turned right into the oncoming defender. The shot was again partially blocked, and Gustavo Jaime hacked it off the line. Eleven minutes later,
Hisham Zubari found himself with a clear look at the head of the penalty area, and he did well to shave the top of the bar while getting rushed down by two defenders.
Grilled Birds retained the initiative upon the restart, but Barbalona remained very solid at the back, what with their default focus being to defend. It was all Grilled could do to play the percentages at this point, and they finally hit the jackpot with
Lim An Keng stumbling past the last man with the ball, in the 57th minute. A double stop by Andrea Pignatelli followed soon, first from
Chad Thach, and then off
Chia Kwang Tse from the ensuing corner kick.
The second corner would lead to Barbalona's winner, as it happened, after German sweeper Kılıç Yoldaş rose highest to clear his line. Ovidio Caraballo went all the way after recovering the ball just past the halfway line, with
Hein Thiha Pyae Ko not quite able to get in front of the sprinting midfielder.
Radomil Marcol came out to meet him, but Caraballo got his lob just right for 2-1!
The Birds did have their chance to equalize once more, as the home team started to lose their shape on further pressure. Mauricio Arévalo was having trouble staying with
Chad Thach, and he was fortunate to stay on, after a completely mistimed tackle from the back in the 73rd minute. Schwietzer sent the free-kick hopelessly high, unfortunately, and Pignatelli preserved the win with his fingertip stop off
Hwang Teck Fu next.
