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The countdown continues as Central Park face off against Andernese at Bowen Secondary School on Sunday as both teams knew that any lesser than 3 points, it will mean that they will just have scrape for the playoff spot with Barclays finishing the season strongly and holding on to 2nd place and with Prestige Marine already confirming their position as champions for the division, the race was all about finishing and grabbing 2nd place. Thus it wasn't a surprise that both teams brought with them an army with both sides having no less than 16 players to choose from for the game.
Sharks nonetheless had to rue the loss of captain Vincent Yeo for the game as the effects of a midweek Islandwide League took its toll on some of the players. Missing for the game as well was Steven Bock who have carried himself remarkarbly for the past few games when he turn out for the Sharks. With 2 key defensive players missing for the game, it sure look bad for the Sharks but up step Mohan who was given the responsibility to marshall the Sharks backline. In the middle, Graeme was in his usual menancing self, ably supported by Jiayong but Sharks were looking for a new look wingers with the introduction of Harold who is making his 2nd appearance for the team while Hafiz impressed in his debut and was moved in midfield. In attack, Andreas was given the nod to partner Li while the likes of Aaron and Murugesan started on the bench. With the likes of Kelvin, Jason, Zhuoneng, Johan and Jeremy Tan biding their time in the sidelines, Sharks started the game in confident fashion but Andernese however had only one thing on their mind, making the middle of the park their own with a solid 5 man midfield. Sharks nonetheless soaked the pressure with Graeme with his usual composed self while at the back, there was no way around the defense marshalled by Mohan. On the other end, the partnership of Li and Andreas almost bore its dividends when a flick-on by Andreas found Heng Li making his run on goal but somehow, the dimunitive forward fluffed the opportunity. At the other end, Mohan was found wanting when he put his custodian Michael in a lot of trouble when he put his throw towards Michael. The custodian however spared his sweeper the blushes when he made a point blank save from the mistake at the back. Both sides were looking dangerous on both ends and Hafiz were at his marauding best on the right but his delivery from the wings left much to be desired. 20 minutes on, Sharks made the change with the introduction of Murugesan for Hafiz. It almost paid dividends when Andreas found the Indian national with a crisp pass bu the latter were unable to keep his composure to give his team the lead. Nonetheless, Sharks continued to threatened upfront and the best opportunity fell yet again to Murugesan, this time with a pin-point cross from Andreas but Murugesan were unable to keep his header down. All in all, both teams had an even first half as the score remained goaless.
Second-half started with Andernese yet again finding their feet first and with a change of personnel in the middle, Graeme were found wanting in his new defensive position. Sensing change was needed, Jeremy came up to slot the role while Murugesan were moved upfront to replace the ineffective Aaron. That seemed to balance the team as they went in search of goals. Andernese on the day was up on their passing rate while the Sharks were up when in comes to opportunities in front of goal. Nonetheless, both teams kenew what was at stake as they defended with all their might and as for the Sharks, the likes of Charlson, Mohan, Yi Quan and Kelvin kept things tight at the back while Michael, when being called upon was ever-reliable. Andernese had a golden opportunity to take the lead off a free-kick midway in the second-half but Michael, despite his nervy first half made a fantastic one-handed save to keep the score level. At the other end, the likes of Harold and Andreas were providing pin-point passes and crosses to the front man of Heng Li and Murugesan but Andernese defense stood resolutely.
With both teams knowing that what the game needed was probably just a single goal, the game wore on and it looked to be heading to an exciting draw till lady luck smiled on Sharks. Murugesan, who was constantly a thorn in Andernese defense collected the ball outside the box. Despite being closed down quickly, the pacy forward unleased a shot towards goal. Despite not being able to put his scoring boots on his shot, somehow his mistimed shot found Heng Li in the 6 yard area. The forward clinical nature meant that he didn't need a second invitation as he rounded the custodian to give his team the lead, much to the amazement of Andernese defense who was waiting for the referee to blow for offside. The goal opened up the game with Andernese looking ever more menancing with some lovely one-touch passing and pushing man forward to level the score. That was cue for Sharks to take advantage of the gaps at the back and with Murugesan, anything was possible. Up step Michael with his long punt upfront, and with the presence of Murugesan, the long ball was misjudged by Andernese defender. The Chennai forward didn't need any invitation to burst into space and with the onrushing custodian closing him down, he unleased an unstoppable volley which found the roof of the net to give his team a much needed 2 goal cushion. The sidelines went berserk with celebrations, each and every member know what the 2nd goal meant.
A few more changes were made to stifle the opposition and Johan could have put the icing on the cake with a 3rd but the forward will rue the opportunity to give his team a convincing victory as he took too long to pull the trigger. Nonetheless, Sharks held on for a fantastic 3 points.
The beaming manager said after the game, 'It would have been a fair result if both teams shared the spoils but at the end of the day, it was the team who took their chance. Sharks created ample opportunities in front of goal while Andernese was ever dangerous going in attack. Lady luck smiled on us today and it's such a game that just make Sunday football all the more enjoyable. Andernerse were unlucky not to walk away with a point with both team sharing almost equal possession, but that's part of the beautiful game.
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