Zaini Zaps Manolico
José Luiz Velho, who would end today's friendly defeat as skipper, confirmed that
Atang Mangoye was beating himself up about his pivotal misstep, in the dressing room. "I was going, it's just a training game." the Brazilian recounted. "But he thinks he's let the team down."
Velho preferred to look on the bright side. "We had the kids pass it around very confidently in the first few minutes, and then sporadically through the rest of the match. They kind of ran out of steam a little in extra time, but that's only to be expected."
Farmer Bunnies would carry on with the wins, as they defeated Dominican Republic Republic II.4 guests Fortaleza San Vincente by four goals to one. Experienced Italian forward Marco Gatti got a free-kick through the defensive wall in the fifth minutes to give the orange shirts the lead, to goalie
Gabriel Luke's evident displeasure.
Mushtag Al-Nameeri would equalize in the 33rd minute, though, and a barrage in the final ten minutes by
Nguyễn Văn Chương and then
Lim Su Liang (twice) brought it home for the Buns.
Grilled International advanced in the H.I. Sapphire Challenger Cup too, with
Collin Kleden scoring again in the 34th, after
Querubim Santos Couto made an important early stop off Jesús Aribau. Spanish H.I. IV.47 challengers Otra Volta Manolico would struggle to create a better opportunity, and they would eventually be wiped 5-0 with
Zaini bin Hj Kaling bagging twice from defence.
This made it fifty career goals for the 33 year-old Zaini, which he confessed was more than he thought he would achieve. "Then again, I think I am currently playing some of the best football in my life." he continued. "I feel as fit as I have ever been."