Noubaryan To Step In
Mohd Safri bin Mohd Kassim admitted that despite the scoreline, it was not a vintage performance from Grilled. "But it was enough, and I'll take the points. The goals are flowing, and we will try to keep this up as long as we can."
When asked whether he was disappointed that his eight-game scoring streak had come to a conclusion, just two off the all-time Grilled record set twice by Maikel Rotteveel,
Tian Yonghang held nothing back. "Yes, of course, these things don't come along that often, and there's a lot of luck going into it. But there's still time to start another assault on the record, beginning Wednesday hopefully!"
Both expressed concern at
Edmund Kryus' injury, but they would have to wait for updates as no news was forthcoming from the hospital that the goalkeeper had been ferried to for a couple of hours. Finally, it was revealed that Kryus had come to and was alert, but the doctors have insisted on stabilizing his head and keeping him under observation for a few days.
"There shouldn't be anything too serious, but we're not taking chances - just look at the example of Petr Čech. We will certainly not hurry him back, and if all goes well he
might be back to face newbies. Noubaryan and
Dan Seng will fill in in the meantime."
Grilled do have the consolation of pulling level with newbies at the top of the table on points, after SpartanSG continued a very respectable run with another draw at the newbies ground, coming close to a huge upset before Giulio Bollini levelled with six minutes to go. JUtd made it three Jurong clubs sharing the summit with a cautious 2-0 over an improving Robbie Football Club, who were in with a shout until Maximiliano Domínguez carried on with his taste for goal with a late second.
"JUtd didn't show their full strength today. They are one of the most rounded teams in this division on their day, and we will have to concentrate on our strengths to take them down." head coach
Niculae Stanca offered. "Both our previous meetings ended 4-3 to us, so this should be a clue as to how close it should be."
Last but not least, TTTNW's bid for a draw at minimum ended in disappointment after CharlesCheesePie won 2-1 off national striker Zulharisan bin Mamud's 81st minute winner. Zulharisan, who has been in excellent form, was never going to miss after going clear, but TTTNW had their chances, and Max Radenne was a key culprit with wasteful misses.
One of TTTNW and Robbie Football Club must get their first points next weekend when the two meet, though, with the winner also gaining a much-needed push in escaping the relegation zone.