A Fluffy Title
Tian Yonghang thought it best not to mention hapless custodian
Cameron Law at all in his assessment of the crushing defeat. "We win or lose together, and today, it all went wrong. Fortunately, it was just the three points, and made no difference in the bigger picture."
Arrogancae secured the title - and automatic promotion - with their fourteenth victory over Grilled Birds, with newbies are newbies staying five points adrift despite a masterful 5-0 taming of the relegated Phoenixes. Joker 9 guaranteed fourth place by dismissing The Sing Tigers 4-0, with Queenstown MZKs having to play a qualifier like the Birds, after going down 1-2 to Glory Paradiso despite Adem Boğ's first-minute strike. Strike partner Satya Khade would be sent off after 21 minutes, and a brace from Jacob Yamada sealed Queenstown's fate.
There would be better news from Farmer Bunnies, as they are all but certain to claim the league title, after edging early favourites kaloons 1-0 courtesy of
Dušan Václavík's 40th minute switch out to the right wing. With a two point lead in hand, and three points all but certain against bottom-placed Pasir Ris Warriors, local bookmakers have ceased accepting bets on the Buns' topping the table.
"It wasn't quite our priority, but I am glad that we have done it again." senior player
Mauro Fau said. "We will be looking to promote if we can, of course."
The Buns had FC Phondle to thank after they beat FC Jurong Rovers 2-1 via Damijan Mileta's free-kick winner on the hour, while Really McCoys thumped the Warriors 6-0 in what is hopefully a preview of next Sunday for the Buns. Mangrove Pittas hit nine past Livernuts in the remaining fixture, to keep the race to escape the relegation fixtures very much alive.
Umut Koza found his first professional hat-trick against Esther Football Club to overtake
Chua Jun Long in the league scoring stakes, as they played out a frenetic last ten minutes that had
Egidius van der Duin pick up a late brace, and
Snæbjörn Sigfússon break his league duck with a penalty late in stoppage time. Laureano Saatrek attempted to psyche the Icelandic winger out, but was rebuffed with a simple sidefooted grounder to his left post.
Automatic promotion is all but secured thanks to International's very healthy goal difference, and Swiss head coach
Didi Reidenbach admitted that the past six seasons in Division Five had been about five too long. "To be frank, I was getting worried that we were getting complacent at times. But we are going back up with healthy finances and the core of a good possession-based team, so I think we are on the right track!"