Rabbed Wrong Way
Grilled boss
Tian Yonghang elected to focus on the positives, as he praised his players to the high heavens while ignoring
Gústav Thoroddsen's misdemeanour. "This team has character to match any of our classic squads." Tian gushed. "Many would have settled for a draw after losing a man so early, but the guys adapted without a second thought. Well done!"
Just as well too, as the Birds just about hung on to their perfect record - and three point lead - with Phantasm Hotspurs not giving any ground in smashing Mayuyu AKB48 for six, via Koh Ping Beng hat-trick. Veteran winger Foong Seng Wee may be out for over a fortnight due to a thigh strain, however. Elsewhere, tpyers earned themselves a little breathing room by wiping ggttbtbyny 4-0, as Shadow Chaser(R) SC prodded Sporting Reifeles a little closer to the precipice, with a commanding 6-1 home win.
The race for the Golden Boot has moreover also opened up a little with Thoroddsen's suspension; while he still leads handsomely on 15 goals, Hotspurs' Mak Hao Heng is now just three behind on twelve, the same as Grilled strikemate
Phua Ming Xin, who has been going about his business in a dreadfully low-profile but no less effective manner. Controlar's Hans Hendrik Biskopstø is one behind the duo, and seemingly prepared to make up the difference.
Over at Carrot Field, Farmer Bunnies did themselves plenty of favours by crushing Mangrove Pittas 4-0, after
Arun Ponnusamy and
Ong Li Jing scored in the first eight minutes, Ong moreover right after being booked for a messy late tackle on Turkish midfielder Ziya Tunç Kurttekin.
Ho Ah Kian then converted a hanging corner in the 64th, with
Amaya Ravula knocking a speedy counterattack home with nine minutes remaining. Pity
Louis Lee however, as the young defender aggravated his janky right knee once again.
This sees the Buns remain within striking distance of FC Phondle and Brighton UK, both of whom remain three points ahead. FC Phondle expectedly widened their goal difference on hosting Sengkang Town FC and defeating them 7-0, but Brighton UK flaunted their mettle too by making short work of a strong Really McCoys side, coming on top 4-1 as Rafael Maria Silva Barroso sparkled with a treble. SK28 pulled off a 4-3 upset over FC Jurong Rovers for only their second victory of the season, but it might be too late for them.
It looks like another wasted campaign for Grilled International after being outdone 1-2 by AC Rabissale at Burung, which sees them now five points off the pace, likely an insurmountable gap. It was unfolding all so well for International too in the early going, with the visitors' Andorran Number One Ignasi Milian having to fend off serious strikes from
Egidius van der Duin and
Azri bin Sazali in short order.
The tide turned when
Waldemar Gołata's cross was cleared after attracting too many International heads in the box 31 minutes in, which resulted in a Ty Rathbone goal on the fast break. Some bad decisions from the restart saw Marko Sinnott take advantage for 2-0, and although
Chua Jun Long reduced two minutes into the next half after hitting the post in response to Sinnott, they would get no further.
"Ah, that was a damn shame."
Umut Koza sighed, having spurned his own clear chance in the 66th minute, lifting it onto the crossbar. "I wish I could say we were improving, but I don't know."
