Tigers Chomp Buns
The blue-shirted visitors would celebrate at the conclusion of this second-round Singapore Cup game at The Pot, as
Tian Yonghang took stock. "It was a fair result, I have got to say." the head coach admitted. "Their midfield was simply a step or two above ours, and I'm not putting down our youngsters. Defending-wise, we should have been more alert for their goals. It was always going to be tough to dislodge them, once they get in the driving seat."
About that, the Birds might well have benefitted from the return of former alumni Amran Anis, but Tian passed on the 30 year-old fullback after eventual buyers Ultra Viola Újpest FC took the transfer fee to near S$800,000. "That was somewhat over our fair valuation." Tian said, as Anis signed for the Hungarian H.A.L Division Seven side. "Perhaps next time."
Farmer Bunnies fared even worse, as they were crushed 0-4 by III.4 opponents Marina Tigers FAS, themselves just come off four seasons in Division Two. As with Dragon Devil's, the Tigers were just superior all around, and more or less wiped the floor with a young and naive Buns backline. Right wingback
Toh Eng Guang would moreover worry with a pulled hamstring right before the end, which however turned out not to be serious.
That left Grilled International to carry the flag, which they did with a fine 6-3 over Austrian H.I. IV.3 challengers Carl Zeiss Wien, with
Wang Hanxuan answering Pedro Bruno Rodrigues's opener at the first opportunity.
Hardi bin Besar would repeat the same in time added on, making it two for the day. This might yet be the final match for the club for both these stars, however, with
Umut Koza making a quiet debut in midfield.
