Ponying Up
Getting through this inconsequential outing without sustaining any additional injuries was
Tian Yonghang's priority, and he was thankful that
Brian Reddy's foot concern happened to be temporary. "
Dimitris Germanakos looks good for a return for the qualifier, so we should have our strongest XI then. Good on Dani for his goal, that should give the Tigers some encouragement for next season."
This final round of fixtures saw Arrogancae slip up against newbies are newbies, with Lai Ping Keong winning it with a superlative 57th minute snipe past Alan Bennett from some thirty yards, but this didn't matter either as Arrogancae go right up on their 36 points, eight more than necessary to secure automatic promotion to the S-League. Stiff competition in the other Division Two leagues saw Batok Earthquakes and Villains F.C. gain their titles on just 27 points apiece, with fast-rising HEBFC Tonners FC reaching the top flight for the first time ever on 31 points.
Ten points separated newbies from Glory Paradiso in third, as Paradiso played out a nail-biting 2-2 draw against already-relegated Tampines Phoenix F.C., who fought back from two down early on. Joker 9 lost too with Queenstown MZKs battering them 4-1 in a messy game that had Hans-Ulrich Rehn sent off for a second yellow in the 71st minute, but it was not like they had anything riding on the result.
The qualifiers will thus see Queenstown take on longtime strivers Lawrence, KS FC, and the Birds defend their spot against III.3 institution Coco FC. "I think we have the edge, but there should be no complacency."
Tian Yonghang warned. "We don't want to be lingering in Division Three any longer than absolutely needed."
Farmer Bunnies confirmed their title in splendid fashion as they thumped Pasir Ris Warriors for eight goals, or over a third of their haul through the season thus far. This included 34 year-old Iranian
Koushan Khatibi's first hat-trick of his career after the Buns tried him out as striker in a 3-5-2, and included a free-kick and a penalty after Khatibi had scorched Sun Hui Kim in the 62nd minute, for the Buns' third.
Ho Ah Kian, who opened with a cool drive to the bottom left corner against Eddy Christian after being frozen out of the lineup for most of the year, congratulated his unlikely strike buddy. "Koushan really enjoyed himself out there, and that's what you want from a forward. It didn't hurt that there wasn't any pressure at all."
The expected win meant that the Buns stayed two points ahead of FC Jurong Rovers, who thrashed Mangrove Pittas 8-2 on a treble by UAE youngster Khalfan Al-Mukhaithi. Despite this, Pittas forward Loïc Gazel would share the Golden Boot with Really McCoys' Martin Labor thanks to his sixth minute effort, as McCoys were shut out 0-2 by FC Phondle. kaloons' own 8-0 versus Livernuts would condemn the Pittas to a qualification match against F.C. Pegasus., however, with FC Phondle taking on TP Ghetto.
As for the Buns, they face International CAT F.C. for a place in II.4, and
Vishnu Tallapaka would stress that there was no rush to promote here. "If it happens, it happens." the Buns boss emphasized. "I see our squad as very much being in development, and the Consolation Cup as a nice reminder that we are on the right track."
There was no excitement as Grilled International said their farewells to Ponyhof with a 3-0 result having long secured promotion, though there would be a welcome throwback with captain
Hardi bin Besar scoring in the 27th minute to get things going.
Mohsen Zeynali was booed roundly at snagging the second, having injured Lukas Baumgartner earlier on, with
Chua Jun Long adding a third in the 54th.
Chua's goal did mean that he secured a share of the league Golden Boot together with teammate
Umut Koza on 14 goals apiece, which made his third such award, and Koza's first. "Oh, I don't mind sharing." Koza joked. "The more, the merrier!"
