SOMETIMES, the local football fraternity can be pretty narrow-minded.

In a society conscious of "losing face", Jorg Steinbrunner, a German-born PR who has been in Singapore for a decade, certainly made my week last Friday.

Until then, The Straits Times had stirred a talking point around his club, Sengkang Punggol, after it emerged that the team is financed by moneybags chairman Ben Lim, who has investments in goldmines.

Hence, "The S-League's Manchester City" headline.

With that, tongues in the local football circle started wagging. Some sniggered, scoffed and even poured scorn on the Hougang-based club, who has never finished higher than eighth and were wooden spoonists four times.

When Sengkang ran out to the Jalan Besar Stadium pitch to warm-up for their televised game against Gombak United last Friday, I was gobsmacked.

Maybe, they did take the Manchester City comparisons a little too seriously as they ditched their all-white kit for a sky blue one similar to City's.

Then, there was Indra Sahdan Daud, too.

Just when we thought he had to sit this game out due to him serving a one month notice after quitting the police force, he finally gained clearance to play two hours before kick-off.

That brought instant comparisons with Robinho's dramatic transfer deadline deal.

The disjointed passing, wayward shooting and clueless running... City, sorry, Sengkang, were disappointing when they lost 0-1 to Gombak.

After the loss, Steinbrunner could have sulked. He could have blasted yours truly for calling his team "Manchester City", a tag that perhaps brought his team unnecessary pressure.

Instead, he saw the funnier side, said that the S-League needed some laughter and even remarked that some people have started calling him Mark Hughes.

It took a brave man to face the media after his side had floundered in the limelight.

Steinbrunner was honest to admit his team's failings. And he defused a potentially explosive showdown with the press with his wisecracks.

Another coach may have wanted to point accusing fingers and throttle some of the writers gathered in the press room that night.

Your team may have lost on the day, but Jorg, my hat's off to you.