More First Meetings
The match concluded with few surprises, and
Chan Ze Han was just glad that the Birds had a victory under their belt. "It's been a tough few weeks, and at these times, I think all we want is to get some wins. Phondle are definitely better than this, but I'm not complaining at their not prioritizing this competition."
This leaves Grilled Birds to take on Toa Payoh II.4 side Ang Mohs in flip flops in the semifinals, after they upset Joker 9 5-0, albeit with the Jokers also basically bowing out on their own. Interestingly, this will be the Birds' first official match with the fast-growing Ang Mohs, though Farmer Bunnies had been their leaguemates in III.11 some twelve seasons back.
The primary threat to a seventh Challenger Cup for Grilled would unavoidably be recognized as fellow S-League competitors Robbie Football Club and Villains F.C., one of whom will meet the Birds in the finals, assuming no slip-ups. Bakhtiar would however urge his players to just keep their eyes on what lies directly before them. "We have been unnecessarily distracted for too often already."
The Buns returned to the friendly circuit with a 5-0 home hammering of Guam third division visitors New Ideas, an affiliate of Austria's Ulli's Schokomuffins and England's Victory by Skill. Thai star
Xue Kangfang got them going with two goals starting at left wing, before switching positions with
Sunil Patel back into central defence, for the second half. His job was long done, though, with further goals by
Mushtag Al-Nameeri,
Nguyễn Văn Chương and
Christophe Fouche forthcoming.
Grilled International too enjoyed a big win against thrice Northern Irish Challenger Cup winners Union Rangers, a spin-off of former Scottish cupwinners Blue Order. Like Phondle, the Rangers were clearly taking it easy, and would have 18 year-old Clarke Henefeld score their only goal in a 1-9 ragging. International would even turn off the tap after
Safari bin Hj Jali made it nine in the 67th minute, as to not unduly distress their guests.
