Central Park

5

vs

FECA

0

Always known as a predator in front of goal, Isaac Mong turned provider for Sharks 5-0 romp against FECA with his 3 assist and a goal to his name over at Meridian Junior College on Sunday. Heng Li's double and a goal each from Kamal and Eddie meant that the team moved to top spot after bettering Madcats goal difference with both teams level on points while Sharks still have a game in hand.

Sharks started knowing that goal difference could be a deciding factor come end of the game and the first goal was crucial to ease the pressure off the team despite beating FECA 6-1 last week with the manager intent to make the team realised that the game was far from a foregone conclusion. Nonetheless, it took less than 10 minutes for the team to break the deadlock. Isaac and Heng Li combining well for the latter to notch the team first goal and a minute later, they combined yet again and Heng Li made no mistake from close range. Sharks stepped off the peddle after that and FECA began to gain a foothold of the game with several attacks of their own but Michael in goal was quick off his line to cut out any danger. It wasn't in the final minute before they added a 3rd, this time Heng Li returning the favor for Isaac to tap into an empty net after some fantastic play in midfield.

In the 2nd half, it was all Sharks as they controlled the game and were duly rewarded after just 8 minutes. After finding his way with just a defender to beat, Isaac unselfishly laid off for an oncoming Kamal who slotted the ball with ease into the net, the latter's 2nd goal in as many games in the league. Michael who have nothing much to do in goal in the 2nd half decides to get into the action. His long punt found Eddie at the other end and with sheer might and insistence, he shrugged off his marker and notched the team's fifth. On the other end, FECA had a glorious chance for a consolation but Michael pull off an outstanding save to deny the opposition.

The manager said after the game, 'While the scoreline isn't a suprise, FECA didn't make it easy for the team.

Official 10

1

vs

Central Park International

0

It was one of those days when the writings were on the wall, 2 clear-cut chances in front of goal and 3 goal-bound effort denied by the post and the crossbar. In the end, it was the team that took their chances in front of goal which walked away with all 3 points abeit, their only effort.

Central Park International started the game brightly with the likes of Naoki and Azmeen causing several opportunity for the front-man of Murugesan and Dung upfront as the team was intent to shrug off their lethargic display and ending their winless streak. Time and time again, opportunities were created as Official 10 was stretched in defense. Naoki who was inspirational on the wing were probably the livewire of the team for the opening 20 minutes of the half and he was unlucky not to cap his performance when his ferocious effort bounced off the crossbar. Azmeen and Robert each had opportunity off a corner but both effort just missed the target by just inches. As the boys in yellow poured forward, the opposition was happy to soak the pressure and rely on their counter which was dealt with at east from the quartet of captain Vincent, Zhuoneng, Fiet and Jensen. Despite the effort for the team in yellow, the half ended goal-less.

With a few changes being made to the team that started the first half, Sharks continued where they let off, attacking Official 10 goal. Murgesan was quick of the mark and sensing the custodian was off his line, he tried from distance, beating the stranded goalkeeper but yet again, denied by the post. Dung had a great opportunity to mark his debut with a goal after some great work by Robert but with only the goalkeeper to beat, he missed the target completely. On the other hand, with Vincent on the sidelines nursing a head injury, Official 10 scored with their only opportunity in goal with the defense stranded. 10 minutes to full-time, an unsporting behavior from Official 10 for spitting at Robert meant that he was rightfully shown the red card but shockingly, Robert was sent off together with the opponents despite not reacting to the incident. Nonetheless, the opposition held on for the win with Sharks clearly disappointed with the result.

The manager said, 'We played well today and did almost everything right other than finding the net.'

Central Park International

0

vs

Official 10

0

Central Park International winless streak continues for the 3rd game running as they were held 0-0 by Official 10 in a dour match where the Sharks had less than 6 shots on goal. Official 10 on the other hand had a perfect opportunity to sneak a win in the 2nd half but some tireless running by Matthew ensured that while the team had not won in their last 3 games, they ensured that they got at least a point from the match which both teams looks real unlikely to score.

Right at the start of the match, Murugesan had the perfect opportunity to give his team an early lead but somehow some quick feet by the opposition defense meant that the chances were lost. It was the closest the Sharks ever came to scoring as both teams somehow were intent to cancel each other out in every department as the heat sapped the energy from both set of players. As the match wore on, Sharks set-pieces off the corner by Michael Jensen were particularly creating opportunities for his team but no one were able to capitalise on the chances. With the clock ticking away, the referee blew for half-time for a poor first half. The 2nd half weren't much different as the Sharks failed to gain any foothold whatsoever in the game, almost forcing the likes of Murugesan who was starved of any services to come deep for possession. Fiet though had a penalty turned down when he was brought down in the box but the referee waved play on as both teams worked tirelessly to find the opener. Official 10 had the perfect opportunity to break the dead-lock with 5 minutes remaining but under pressure from Matthew, Martin safely put his team in the game as Sharks held on for a point.

The manager said after the game, 'You don't score, you don't win matches.'

FECA

1

vs

Central Park

6

Six different goalscorers from Central Park enabled the team to bounce back from from last weekend defeat with a 6-1 win over FECA on Sunday. Goals by Isaac, Heng Li, Kit, Eddie, Kamal and Yi Quan enabled the team to rack up the goals with goal difference likely to play a part come end of the season.

The team welcomed back Charlson from his suspension, Michael back in goal and new trialist Wencong starting on the wings for the match. With the scorching heat likely to play a part in sapping the energy from both teams, it was crucial for the team to get an early lead and it took them only six minutes as Heng Li released Issac who muscled his way for the opener. Though FECA tried to conjure up some attacks of their own, Sharks increased their lead yet again in the 21st minute when Li yet again provided the killer pass, this time Kit got the end of it and finished with aplomb. The latter returned the favor in the 35th minute as Heng Li found himself free in the box and made no mistake with a placed shot. Isaac could have added his tally just before half-time but he overan the ball after beating almost the entire defense.

The 2nd half signaled the changes as the manager made no less than 4 changes to the starting eleven. Just three minutes into the 2nd half, Isaac was brought down unfairly in the box. Up step this season's penalty taker Yi Quan who made no mistake from the resulting penalty. Shortly after the restart, Eddie Suefyan marked his return to the team with a thunderous finish from outside the box after some lovely exchanges with Jeremy Chua. In just 9 minutes into the 2nd half, Sharks were 6-0 up when Eddie provided a peach of a cross for Kamal to head into the net for his first goal in Sharks colors. Sensing more goals, Sharks pushed forward but were unable to capitalise on their opportunity and in turn, were caught fleet-footed as FECA got a consolation goal after some slack defending with their goal, the last for the match.

The manager commented, 'We should have gotten a couple more in the game as goal difference would be likely play a part at the end of the season but to win by such a scoreline, we shouldn't have any complaints.'

Madcats

3

vs

Central Park

1

Central Park were unable to replicate their clinical finishing as per last weekend when they went down 1-3 to Madcats on Sunday at Henderson Secondary School. Sharks could have taken the lead midway into the first half after Isaac waltzed thru the custodian on a one-on-one situation but his feeble attempt in the open net was cleared off the line. The miss proved costly as Madcats took the lead with the final kick of the first half after some poor positioning by stand-in custodian Jeremy and he was yet again found wanting when he failed to make any attempt in the second goal. With 10 minutes of the game left, Sharks reduced the deficit thru Muzzammil but Madcats ensured maximum points when the restored their two goal cushion just before full-time.

Sharks made several changes to the defense with the suspension of Charlson and in came the likes of Helmy and Azman partnering Ridzman and Yi Quan. The changes were evident as the boys were put on the backfoot in the early exchanges and they were put under pressure by some slick movement of the opposition as opposed to some indifferent marking by the midfielders. Madcats could have taken the lead on two occasions but they were found wanting in front of goal. At the other end, Sharks were inching closer to goal and they got a great opportunity to take the lead when Isaac beat his marker, pass the custodian and with the simplest task of stroking the ball home, he strode the ball into the empty net but his feeble attempt was easily cleared away by the onrushing defender which typifies the attitude of the opposition and the hunger it showed in the game. Sharks had a couple of opportunity to take the lead but the chances were either squandered or mishit. At the other end, with the last kick of the half, a poorly cleared ball only found the opposition's forward lurking in the area who volleyed it home first time, catching a poorly position Jeremy in goal.

The second half started with Sharks playing with more purpose but just when they were gaining a foothold in the game, they were down by yet another goal off a freekick. As the clock ticked by, Heng Li had the perfect opportunity to reduce the deficit but he failed to beat the custodian on a one-on-one situation, summing up the day the Sharks were having in the attacking third. With 10 minutes of play left, Muzzamil gave his team a glimmer of hope when he headed a corner from Kit to reduce the deficit. As Sharks attack in numbers, they thought that the have came back from the dead when Muzzamil broke free from Madcats static defense and putting the ball over the onrushing custodian. But alas, it wasn't to be when it was blown for offside, a decision which bemused the Sharks players who see nothing wrong with the goal. Nonetheless, with heads down, Madcats added another just before full-time to ensure the win.

The manager commented, 'It was a disappointing result and we were always second to the ball. Madcats showed more desire for the game and full marks to them.

Killer Whales

0

vs

Central Park

4

It took a moment of sheer brilliance from Muzzammil to open a stubborn Killer Whales side before goals from Naem and Isaac ensured that they keep pace with other pace setters in the league with a 4-0 victory on Sunday.

After a dismal outing last weekend in the EOEFL Cup, Sharks was intent to concentrate fully on their league campaign against Killer Whales. Nonetheless, the boys were unable to create any meaningful chances in the early exchanges as both sides fought hard for possession in the middle of the park. Time after time, Killer Whales defense managed to keep Sharks attackers at bay and on the other end, the opposition look to break the duck with their dangerous set pieces. Isaac and Heng Li though managed to carve out opportunities on their own but they didn't managed to make their opportunities count. The closest they came was when Isaac missed a sitter after a marauding run from Kelvin provided Isaac with the simplest of finish in front of goal but the former missed the target. The miss seemed that it's a nightmare being played back again after the manager have just seen his International side missing a glut of chances. With the clock ticking to half-time, it needed something special to break a stubborn Killer Whales defense. Cue midfield lynchpin Muzzammil. Taking the ball in his stride, he fooled his marker and collected his own pass before cooly finishing his chance with an exquiste chip to give his side the lead. At the restart, Killer Whales looked to have switched off with half-time approaching. A strong challenge from Naem enabled him to rob possesion off the opposition and as he weaved his way thru the heart of the opposition defense unchallenged, he placed his shot to perfection from 35 yards as it trickled into the bottom left hand corner for Sharks to take a 2-0 lead at halftime.

With the game halfway in the bag, Sharks relied on Killer Whales to come at them and hit them on the counter. However the team suffered a setback when Charlson was adjudged to have gone in with a dangerous challenge and he was duly sent off with a straight red. Sensing the tie was there for the taking, Killer Whales went on the offensive but they were immediately hit with on the counter. Naem who was having a great day beat his marker and unleashed a strong drive towards goal which was only palmed towards Isaac who made no mistake in the open net. With Killer Whales down by 3-0, they didn't faltered in trying to get back into the game but yet again, Sharks went on the counter with Budihati reading Isaac's run and releases him on a one-on-one chance and with the onrushing custodian missing his clearance, Isaac walked thru the ball into the net for his second and his team's fourth goal of the game. As the tie wore on, Sharks had ample opportunity to increase their lead but the scoreline remained as Sharks takes maximum point from their two meetings between the two teams.

The manager commented, 'Killer Whales proved a tough nut to crack and they were really assured in defense before the goal from Muzzammil and Naem right at the dearth of the first half. That opened the game up and left gaps for us to make full use of the opportunity.

DHL

1

vs

Central Park International

1

Central Park International rue their chance against 10 man DHL after their custodian was sent off for a professional foul on Murugesan in the first minute of play when they could only scrapped a 1-1 draw at Orchid Park Secondary School. It was DHL who struck first blow with a lead before Murgesan leveled things up just before half-time. As the Sharks huff and puff, they just could not get the elusive winning goal with Andrew missing a great opportunity midway in the second-half after some good work from Soerensen.

Sharks started the game brightly and with their first attack, Soerensen released Murugesan thru on goal but he was brought down unfairly enroute to goal just outside the area and the referee had no choice but to send the opposition custodian to the dugout in the first minute of play. The sending off though put DHL on the next gear as they pushed Sharks into the own half as the boys had trouble breaking the high defensive line by DHL. In a series of corners midway in the first half, 10 man DHL took the lead which they richly deserved. A looping header which caught Iskandar in goal off his line. The goal gave the opposition renewed vigor as they seemed intent to go into the break with a slim lead but the breakthru came right into injury time in the first half. Murugesan shot deflected into goal as the opposition failed to clear their lines.

The second-half were greeted with torrential rain but both teams soldered on with DHL showing more hunger for the game as Sharks probably had a collective off day. They were unsure in defense, the midfield lack aggression and the attack were toothless. Time and time again, Sharks pushed forward but they were often denied either by some poor finishing or some poor decisions. At the other end, DHL threatened to break the duck but they too seemed to have an off-day in front of goal. As the action swung from one end to the other, the best opportunity fell to Andrew Cox who somehow missed a sitter when Soerensen pulled back his cross after some great work on the right wing. The miss summed up the afternoon for the Sharks as they clearly lacked the clinical edge in front of goal.

'It was one of those days whereby you simply can't find the luck in front of goal, said the manager.' He added, 'On the other hand, a draw is a fair result with DHL playing like men possessed and made us look like we were the team with the numerical disadvantage.'