Wolves Sent Packing
There would be much chatting between the Birds and Xaviers players even before the final whistle, as the very-apparent gulf in ability and class ensured that there were no hard feelings about the outcome. "It was inspiring, really." 20 year-old midfielder
Mohd Marzuki Khairul panted, with Levi Chin's jersey slung over his shoulder. "They arguably stand at the peak of the Singapore football scene right now, and today let us glimpse the heights."
This then sees Grilled drop to the Sapphire Challenger Cup, where they are lined up to face another S-League club in SingaStyle, for the Round of 32. SingaStyle are, of course, the defending Singapore Cup champions, who were moreover denied a national double only by the dominance of Villains F.C. last season.
"I'm not expecting miracles, not at all." head coach
Tian Yonghang insisted. "All I am asking from the boys is another big effort."
Farmer Bunnies advanced in the Singapore Consolation Cup by defeating Serangoon IV.9 contestants WolfP@CK by four goals to nil, with
Vitaliy Efendiev claiming his fourteenth career hat-trick, if thanks to two penalties late in the second half.
Amirul Jufri Khairil got a fourth as the Wolves assembled a couple of interesting counterattacks, but it was far too late by then.
The match would see star wingback
Ong Li Jing sustain a nasty groin injury in the 39th minute no thanks to a savage tackle by Cristian Salanitro, which had
Vishnu Tallapaka unhappy at young Azerbaijani referee Eldəniz Şükürov, for not sending Salanitro off straight. "That could have maimed Ong." he fumed. "What was he thinking?"
The same went for Grilled International in their own Consolation competition, in which they spanked Andorran amateurs Unió Esportiva Andorra la Vella for seven.
Shantinath Singh recorded his first professional goal at the ripe old age of 29, as he swung at a looping ball over the top in the 58th minute. It was otherwise a good ol' rout, which sadly may not count for much in the bigger picture for International.
