Deathly Close
Gamewinner
Ang Leong Kum admitted that he hadn't haboured high hopes, after Peiki took a 3-2 lead with fifteen minutes remaining. "We were a goal behind again, and slowing. If they had clammed up properly, we were probably done."
"We were lucky in that they continued risking it instead, and you can't discount
Rinor Isufi's graft either - he may be better known for his smooth moves and acceleration, but that third goal was a hundred percent born of sheer workrate!"
Grilled are not done with Peiki, however, as they now meet their progenitor, Peiki Fc of Hungary, in the semifinals. The other Peiki beat Ryan Giggs Appreciatiön Society by an identical 4-3 scoreline, if in regular time. If the Birds do make it through, they will meet one of Security First or Holstein Priel, with both clubs coincidentally also under the same ownership umbrella.
"From what I can see, the remaining teams have reasonably similar styles." head coach
Djan Bacelar noted. "Built from the back, but with fine attacking talent too."
Bacelar then took the opportunity to digress, first dismissing rumours that Grilled had been pursuing Dutch wide midfielder Laurens-Jan Luns, and then chatting about the Chicken Wings' transfer to the renowned sixteen-team international youth league, Best of the Best.
He reserved a bit of a downer for the last, though, as he revealed that former Wings defender Lee Ah Jin had announced his departure from the sport, scarce few weeks after his move to Italy. "He said that the level of competition was dispiriting. It's kind of a shame, but Lee was honest with himself. One can't ask much more than that."