Believe
To the Grilled supporters, who had regarded just making the S-League as the crowning achievement of this current side barely a season and a half ago, the fact that the Birds are three points clear at the top - and this after having played both the second and third-placed teams twice - took time to sink in.
"It's happening." A fan was caught on camera saying, almost too calmly. "It's happening, isn't it?"
Grilled head coach
Djan Bacelar was for one not taking any chances, as he herded his men under shelter as soon as the final whistle went. Furthermore, unlike usual practice, none of the starters were represented at the post-match press conference, with only
Rinor Isufi in attendence to satisfy regulations.
"I'm sorry, but they need rest." Bacelar apologized flatly. "That's two times this week they've taken ninety minutes in the pouring rain now. I believe I don't have to describe the effort they put out, either. Be Champions FC were good, very good - but today, we had that little extra."
Bacelar headed off all requests for a statement on whether Grilled would be going all-out for their maiden S-League trophy. "One step, we always take it one step at a time. It's just three points, and there are five games left. It's far, far too early for such talk."
Pudgy Penguins for one are certainly not about to concede anything at this point, as they bounced back from straight defeats, including a cup final disappointment, to ward off Shining Lights' invasion. Lights controlled much of the action against a battered Penguins host, but clinical counterattacking off a rarely-seen 5-4-1 was just about enough for the home team.
Cupwinners singnet_utd tried the same tack, but with much less success against a frisky Pearl Divers side, and lost 0-3. Last but not least, Isle of Flames piled more misery upon the injury-ridden United Warrior Team, as they sent defenders Ján Reviľák and Carlos Rufach to the treatment table en route to a Richard Stetson-led 3-2 victory.
The Farmer Bunnies were not to be outdone, and rang up a clear 5-0 against Joshuadx to maintain their lead at seven points.
Wong Ting Yew deputized adequately for the suspended
Tham Leng Teck at rightback, as
Kwek Yun Jie picked up only his second league goal as one of the five goalscorers.
