|
Central Park inched closer to the title after they swept aside their closest challenger Barclays Capital on Sunday with a thumping 5-1 victory at Henderson Secondary. A hat-trick by Harold and a goal each by Murugesan and Isaac completed the comeback after the team went down earlier in the game. Harold level the score in the first half after Barclays stole the lead early in the game. In the second half, Sharks surged forward and Murugesan gave his team the lead in the 57th minute before Barclays left gaps in defense allowing Harold to score his second goal in the 64th minute and Isaac ensured the points with his team's fourth nine minutes later. Harold completed his hat-trick 10 minutes to time to give his team a resounding 5-1 victory.
Sharks welcome the likes of Vincent and Murugesan who were out of the team for a couple of months while Mizan were called upon to stand between the post in the absence of Michael. The former East Avenue custodian almost gave his team the lead when his first kick caught Barlcays defense off-guard and allowed Murugesan to storm towards goal but the opposition custodian were quick off his line to cut out the danger. Barclays had the best opening exchanges as Sharks were pegged in their own half and they were duly rewarded when they took the lead after Mizan's initial block found the lurking winger to put the ball into the open net. That wasn't the best of start for the team as Sharks have yet to get their feet on the game. A switch between Brendan and Murugesan seemed to balance things out but it took the experience and guile of old horse Heng Li to tear Barclay's defense apart in the 26th minute as he quickly released Harold after collecting the ball on the right as the latter finished coolly from six yards, sidefooting the custodian. The leveler seemed to even things out as both teams cancelled each other out in all departments and were left with half chances in front of goal.
The manager made a few changes in the middle of the park with Jaleel coming off for Zhuoneng while Graeme made way for Jiayong. That seemed to tighten the grip on Barclays industrious midfield but both teams were still unable to make headway in front of goal. Twelve minutes into the second half, Murugesan broke free of his marker for the first time in the game and with only the custodian to beat, he finished with aplomb, taking his shot with an exquiste touch just above the onrushing custodian. The goal seemed to awake Barclays who needed to win the game as they poured man forward in search of the leveler. They came close shortly after going down but Mizan came up tops in a one-on-one situation. At the other end, Sharks took full advantage with a quick counter. Isaac making a nuisance of himself in front of the penalty area before Harold found himself with space and shot thru the sea of legs, burying his shot into the left post. With the score at 3-1, Sharks knew the danger Barclays could pose as in previous meeting as they continued to ensure maximum points.
Murugesan could have added a second to his tally in the game when Sharks broke free yet again. However the striker balloned the ball in an open net, much to the disgust of his manager. The manager's fury however was shortlived when Isaac came up shortly with his team's fourth, finding himself in acres of space and only the custodian to beat. Harold completed his hat-trick with 10 minutes to go but Sharks could have added a couple more but Jason and Jeffrey fluffed their chances in front of goal.
The manager commented, 'The team showed a lot of character in today's victory, showing that they wanted it more than the opposition. Things could have been different if we have not level the score by half-time but the team kept pressing and were duly rewarded. Right now, the team have not won anything yet and they just have to make sure the job is completed in the final 2 games.
|
