Wake-Up Call
Head coach
Djan Bacelar was under no illusions about his team's chances in the Singapore Masters, after scraping through to the quarter-finals with just one win in the group stages.
"We didn't really deserve it." the Brazilian confessed. "The only good takeaways about our displays in this competition, was probably that our results happened to be just enough to qualify. Otherwise, I can't say much."
The Birds' reward is a grudge match against Random Curiosity FC, whom Grilled won their third national cup against. Curiosity have a fair tournament record against Grilled, following a narrow SG Super Cup group stage loss with a flashy 5-3 semifinal win, and should be favourites for this one considering they won Group D while remaining undefeated.
Of course, it remains hard to see past Be Champions FC defending their Masters crown, though -= Manchester United =- did hold them to a draw in their group opener. Ropelearner FC were worthy runners-up, and were matched against Arrogancae in the other side of the bracket, while Be Champions FC take on dark horses Joker 9.
The fourth quarterfinal fixture is between Grilled's next S-League opponents Shining Lights and the just-relegated Charis FC, with the Lights having distinguished themselves by achieving the best record - the full nine points and a +8 goal difference - in the group stages.
"They will be a handful on Sunday."
Tian Yonghang predicted. "I suspect that we have not even seen them at full tilt yet."