Olimpian Sagas
There was plenty of back-slapping for
Vikram Mudaliar after his haul for Grilled Birds today, and the striker was modest enough to lay part of it at the feet of his partners for the day. "
Prokop Mottl and
José Luiz Velho might not have seen much action in the league, but if ever they have to stand in, they have my trust."
Head coach
Eren Serpin revealed that he had been watching
Salah Kamel and
Teo Chuan Yong especially closely throughout, and it was perhaps telling that he refused to be unequivocally positive about their shift. "Our midfield worked hard, but as to whether that's enough... eh."
Over to the Farmer Bunnies, they would brave a tumultuous political situation to visit Syrian III.2 leaders FC Lakritzgenie at their 75,000-capacity Groschen Arena, and while only some five thousand-plus spectators huddled in the grandstand today, it was still a large attendance given the circumstances. The less said about the actual game the better, however, as both teams gave a masterclass on how not to attack.
If ever there was a game destined for penalties, this was it, and
Rashid Nasir al Din would shine by saving all three of FC Lakritzgenie's admittedly-poor takes. With
Vishnu Tallapaka and
Tham Leng Teck leaving Dimitri Xhaka grasping at thin air on their turns,
Ibrahim Zahran Al-Maashany could win it with his attempt, and the Saudi forward coolly sent Xhaka the wrong way.
"Well, it looks like Rashid won't be sleeping much tonight."
Wong Ting Yew predicted. "And I don't blame him."
Grilled International and Argentine fourth division side Club Olimpo would create an epic of their own at Burung Memorial Stadium, with
Li Xin Chi's two early strikes chased by by the visitors, all within the first twenty minutes.
Abdul Hamid bin Hj Ali Timbang would put International into the lead a third time, only to be crocked soon after, and Bulgarian player-coach Anatoli Vladimirov willed Club Olimpo back level, four-all.
International took the lead for a fourth time through
Wang Chu Chi in the 71st minute, but this turned out to presage a rampage from the Argentines, which had them ahead 7-5 within an incredible four minutes.
Hardi bin Besar stayed composed to take the ball past young goalkeeper Carlos Alberto Pisani, who was starting only his second senior game, but they could go no further.
Captain
Safari bin Hj Jali didn't quite know what to make of this glut. "At least the viewers got their money's worth?"
