Corsairs Give Hope
Head coach
Tian Yonghang could not fault his team for failing to win against Singapore Red Dragons today. "I thought we had the better chances, but props to the Dragons, they designed their approach intelligently against us today. We battled hard, it was a clean game, and I don't think I can ask for much more. Also, Veerma demonstrated why he leads the league in goals - that predatory instinct was sublime."
Criticism would continue to mount against 34 year-old defender
Hong Kang Leong, whose mobility would again by called into doubt no thanks to his getting scorched by Roman Eloidze early in the second half. "His free-kicks are better than anyone else's at the club, but that isn't enough to compensate for being unable to do his main job." one fan said, somewhat uncharitably, as he was making his way to the exit.
Despite the loss, the Birds remain in a fair position to avoid relegation, what with some easier matches coming up. That said, next opponents Bukit Regency would raise a warning as they ran Queenstown MZKs close in a 3-4 home loss, while Glory Paradiso likewise showed steel against newbies are newbies, only to fall to a Li Choon An special. Arcturules maintained their chase with a 6-1 mauling of Joker 9, whose Mario Schumpbach provided the consolation goal.
Farmer Bunnies staved the drop off as they crushed the doomed Pasir Ris Corsairs 4-0, as
Vishnu Tallapaka tried out a 3-5-2 for once. This would results in four goals in the first 24 minutes, after which a sloppy second half meant that the Buns were unable to repair their goal difference further.
Argentine forward
Edgar Popienia was just elated to be back in action, even if he didn't manage to score. "I will be honest, I've been thinking about asking for a transfer - at 30 years old, I don't have that much time left in my pro career. But if I get more games... I'll reconsider."
Even if Popienia stays, however, it will likely be in Division Three, as the Buns would need to win all their remaining games to even have a chance to survive. AMDK FC ensured that as they tied 1-1 with Featureship FC to move up to 14 points, as Dragon Devil's fell off the pace with their own 2-2 draw versus frunzelite. Moeinsingapore thus widened the gap at the top to three, with their critical 4-3 win over Crypto Moon, that was all down to Yang Feng Da's all-important last-gasp winner.
Grilled International have slightly more breathing space, but not by much, even as they fell 0-2 to LEGIA GDAŃSK 2017. The Polish side have climbed from seventh just three weeks ago, to third place after the victory, having racked up three shutouts in a row. International never felt in contention after Pang Renlong's 14th minute conversion of a low cross, and Štěpán Matějíček put it beyond doubt through a 48th minute penalty.
Miki Muster arguably remain within reach as they lost 0-1 to league leaders CD Barcelota, but with Barcelota next up for International, it's not looking good for them. No gun but Roses FC slipped up 2-4 gainst DAB Ceuta and are now five points off CD Barcelota, while FC Cuba Lötschen upset Atletico Zvedza CF 1-0, in an overall good day for the underdogs - International excluded.
