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The season is just 2 games old but Sharks were facing their season opener opponents FC Venom for the return leg in only its second game of the year. The latter however are on a high after notching their first win last week against Changi Simei United. Sharks on the other hand were looking to improve on their lethargic display a fortnight ago when they could only muster a 2-2 draw against the opposition.
Sharks kicked the game off, welcoming back the likes of Heng Li to spearhead Sharks attack who clearly was missing the extra thrust in the opener while Graeme returned for his first game of the season. However, the team were missing the likes of captain Vincent, Harold, Kay Hwee and Kelvin and with the bench comprising of 3 trialist for the game, Sharks were looking to pace themselves into the game. The game started with both teams cancelling each other out in the middle of the park with Steven and Graeme combining well to neutralise a very energetic Venom's midfield. On both side, Jiayong and Brendan were tracking their man well. Despite the dull early exchanges, Sharks took full advantage of some adject defending when Sho latched on a Heng Li's pass and while the former's shot was blocked the first time, Brendan was on hand to find the back of the net. That seemed to put the impetus on Sharks as they gain confidence as the game wore on, particularly with Jiayong providing some pin-point passes to the trio of Sho, Heng Li and Brendan.
In defense, Zhuoneng's bad first game meant that he have much to improve and he did admirably well to contain FC Venom's attack, who as to no surprise making the left flank their main focal point of attack. Just before half-time, Sho put his team two goals up after Heng Li managed to draw the opposition defense into disarray. With the custodian badly exposed, Sho had the simplest of task to strike the ball into the empty net as Sharks ended the half with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The second half started with Sharks looking for their 3rd goal and they were duly rewarded when they put the opposition defense into making an uncalled error off an innocuous throw-in. This time round, Heng Li was on hand to round the custodian to make it 3-0. 10 minutes later, a lovely interchange of passes found Brendan to strike his second and his team's fourth while Murugesan added his team's fifth of the game shortly afterwards. Sharks could have extended the lead further but they were unable to increase their lead with Heng Li coming closest with a chip that was tipped acrobatically by the custodian.
The manager commented, 'We showed more desire today and we were quick to close down their midfield, something which attributed to the results today. |
