Tobi Toppled
Birds head coach
Tian Yonghang revealed that he regarded the Cup win as a bonus after the deed was done. "It's the furthest we have come in five years, and to achieve that we had to beat a club currently sitting second in a Division Two league. That's nothing to take lightly." he said. "I can't say that I am satisfied with the finishing yet, but it was better than against Kickz."
While
Phua Ming Xin did not score on his return, Tian stated that he was well pleased with the former Wings trainee's performance. "Given that he doesn't know this team yet, I can't ask for much more. He gave their defenders and midfielders a lot of trouble by harrying them whenever they came into range, and was generous with his passing - maybe a bit too unselfish, in fact."
Grilled were drawn against II.1 side Singapore Red Dragons next, and if they make it through to the Round of Sixteen, some familiar faces will be back as one of Mayuyu AKB48 and Haha will be present, with the latter of course hot favourites. "But we're not thinking that far ahead." Tian admitted.
Farmer Bunnies progressed in the Ruby Challenger Cup too, as they outlasted III.4 representatives FC Tobi 74, to win by two second-half goals. A busy first half had seen them lose
Guan Ming Kum to a thigh strain amidst constant counterattacks, and after
Edgar Popienia brought a new dimension with his half-time entry, French midfielder Pierrot Tallec gave
Amaya Ravula a walk-in with a terrible pass across goal.
Mauro Fau added a second five minutes later as a recharged Ravula brought it up the left, and that was it.
Grilled International crashed out of the Hattrick International version, but given that it was to former H.I. league champions AlphaCentauri, this was not taken as badly as it could have been. Danish forward Torsten Rysgaard hit two by the 35th minute with
Chua Jun Long dribbling in to reduce just before the second, and although
Redhuan bin Mohd Aleshahfezan polished off a great dummy from
Arcadi Sansalvador played through the left, Jędrzej Franas quickly made it 4-2 as International captain
Tommy Dongelmans couldn't cut out the incoming cross.
