The Sun Shines Bright
Tian Yonghang was first to acknowledge that this wasn't a particularly good showing by the team, but that it was enough - for now. "We played quite badly, but we have got the three points, and that's what counts. It's no secret that we're missing Chan especially badly, but the rest will just have to manage the best they can. "
There would be no change at the top, with both TeamNigma and Lawrence, KS FC strolling to clean sheets against Mayuyu AKB48 and Winnetou Reborn respectively. It was a straightforward 3-0 for TeamNigma playing away, while Foo Tse Ping hit a hat-trick for Lawrence, two of which were from set-pieces. The big shock was fc.tower springing an upset at HEBFC Tonners FC, with Maltese striker Bernard Cascun inspiring them with two goals towards a 4-3 win.
Farmer Bunnies' run in III.9 would be stopped by Brighton UK, who overtook them in second place with a 1-0 at Carrot Field. Finnish striker Santtu Nohkola claimed the only goal of a stodgy game from the penalty spot, after a questionable interference call by referee Edigey Qara.
Lau Keng Kwang and
Vitaliy Efendiev had their chances to make it good on the counter in the second half, but Árni Kristvaldsen was alert both times.
This sees Brighton UK ahead of the Buns on goal difference at fifteen points apiece, as The EV extended their lead at the top to six, after an unexpectedly-close 3-2 against Really McCoys. Mangrove Pittas thrashed Heaven Skys for seven to join McCoys on twelve points, while Forever Black Plum put some distance between themselves and the drop zone, by ousting headache, also 3-2.
It was another disappointment for Grilled International versus The Sun men, as they led 3-1 and then 4-2 thanks to the tireless efforts of
Wang Hanxuan, only to be crushed by former Maldives youth international Eman Naeem in the second half. Naeem had opened in the eighth minute after some neat footwork in the box, but that was nothing compared to the whipping he dealt out, late in the second half.
Hardi bin Besar's departure in the 27th minute, not long after his own goal, crippled International's attack to an extent too.
Wang was however determined not to use that as an excuse, as he led the team to some slight redemption, against Romania's Kizomba in Saturday's Battle for Division IV matchup. International won 5-1 with Stefano Bonaminio getting Kizomba's consolation, and The Sun men came good too with their 4-0 over Carl Zeiss Wien, to secure the aggregate victory over IV.3. Yeshua HaMashiach FC were outmatched against Äre Bastards CF, losing 0-5, but that wouldn't matter.
