Afifi United

1

vs

Central Park

4

Sharks shrugged off their last 2 defeats against Madcats and ISA in the league and cup tournament respectively by notching a comfortable 4 -1 victory against leaders Afifi United over at Turf City on Sunday. A hat-trick from Isaac Mong in the first half ensured that the team took advantage of a strong display in the first half but Afifi fought back to reduce the deficit in the second half but Heng Li ensured that they kept their 3 goal lead to finish the game comfortably.

The boys in yellow didn't have the best of news at the start of the game missing the likes of Naoki Fukushima and Muzzammil in midfield while Murugesan was done with fever. If that wasn't bad enough, defensive lynchpin Vincent Yeo had to sit out of the first half after failing to make the game on time. That aside, Isaac could have given his team a dream start in the first minute when he managed to latch on a thru pass from Brendan on the left, one of the many passes the Spurs fan made during the duration of the game only for the former's instinctive shot to rock the post and into safety. That seemed to rock the confidence of the opposition defense as time and time again, Sharks conjure up opportunities in front of goal but were let down by some poor finishing with the worst miss in the half coming from Aaron Huang who missed from six yards. Though it seemed to look like it was one of those games, Sharks took the lead they richly deserved when Isaac was on hand to finish a move started from Brendan. Afifi United somehow couldn't get into their fluid passing game as they were quickly closed down by the ever present figure of Jeremy in the middle suitably partnered by Michael Jensen while the likes of Heng Li and Brendan was on hand to pick up those loose balls for their front two. One of such resulted in the 2nd goal for the team with Heng Li managing to square the ball unselfishly for Isaac to finish with a simple tap-in. The striker then completed his hat-trick when he latched on a near post cross from Brendan who worked hard to dispossess the opposition defender as Sharks finished the half with plenty to smile about though they were lucky to have kept a cleansheet in the half when the opposition missed terribly in front of goal with only Michael to beat.

The second half though placed the opposition in the forefront as they kept pushing to reduce the deficit. Sharks on the other hand kept up their pressure at the other end though it was the opposition who manage to find the net to reduce the deficit. As Afifi threatened to get back into the game, Heng Li managed to keep his team's 3 goal cushion intact when he coolly bring down a ball from Jiayong and choose his angle with the calmest of manner to bring the scoreline to 4-1. He could have added to his tally when he was presented with an open goal from outside the area but this time round, his exquiste touch failed him as he missed the gaping goal as the scoreline remain intact till the final whistle.

The manager commented, 'The first half was probably one of the best half the team has played and they were unlucky to just go up by 3 goals. It was definitely a much better performance from the team after last weekend massarce and with 4 games left, the top half is getting a little interesting.