Huge Letoff
Despite the last-gasp defeat, the Birds somehow kept their perch atop the S-League, as closest challengers Be Champions FC and Pudgy Penguins both missed out on capitalizing. Defending champions BCFC were left to rue a third consecutive league loss, after a near-perfect first half of the season, as an under-par United Warrior Team scored a very memorable upset to the delight of their fans.
As for the Penguins, they appeared to be headed for the same fate against a very solid Pearl Divers lineup, only to rescue a point with two late goals in the aftermath of Vano Adamiani's departure due to injury. This allowed Shining Lights to draw level with them on nineteen points, thanks to a hard-won 2-1 victory against Isle of Flames at Blackout Arena.
Grilled's supporters were left to mourn what could have been a clear six point lead had all the matches stopped ten minutes early, and head coach
Djan Bacelar put on an admirably stoic face. "Well, I did warn that it was too early to be counting chickens." the Brazilian shrugged. "Fair play to singnet_utd, they got us good at the end."
Team captain
Tian Yonghang added to the pep talk. "Realistically, had I been offered our current position - a two-point lead with four matches to go - before the campaign, I'd had ripped the hands off whoever offered it. It definitely stings to drop points in such a manner, but I'd frankly not trade our situation or run-in with any of the other contenders, and that's saying something."
Pundits have installed singnet_utd as a potential kingmaker, with the Singapore cupwinners facing all the top-half clubs - Shining Lights, Pudgy Penguins and Be Champions FC - in their next three matches.
"This edition of the S-League had been played up to be one of the most exciting ever, and it's sure living up to its billing." Football Channel co-host Manmohan Singh commented. "Just three points separate the top four, and with today's results, both United Warrior Team and singnet_utd must believe that they have a chance of surviving after all."
"Looking at it, I wouldn't count out attempted horse-trading." an unlicensed bookmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. "However, it must be very iffy now, with all the clubs having something to play for. I'd say singnet_utd need to win two of their last four to stay up, and they look good for it, from today's evidence. Word on the street is that the top four have about even chances for the title, and I can't disagree."
It was all so much more straightforward in IV.13, in comparism, as Farmer Bunnies continued their stroll towards the trophy with another easy 4-0 win, with goals from
Ermis Ftenopoulos,
Kwek Yun Jie and
Brendan Leung. They would pay a price for it after Kwek had to go off after accidentally getting caught in
Milán Bolgár's way, though, and his replacement
Au Kong Seng would eventually be sent off for some very haphazard tackling.
