Central Park

11

vs

Changi Simei

1

Sharks edged closer to safety with a thumping 11-1 win over rivals Changi United at Springfield Secondary. 4 goals by Harold, 2 by Isaac and the likes of Heng Li, Brendan, Graeme, Jeremiah and Naoki getting their name on the scoresheet each meant that if results between Barbarians and Barclays are correct at the time of the report (Barbarians edging Barclays 5-3), Sharks have secured their safety in the division. On the other hand, Changi United look a shadow of their old self with several new faces as they stood rooted at the bottom of the table.

With 2 games remaining, Sharks looked to this double header with old rivals Changi United as their make or break game, knowing how dangerous the opposition were on their day despite their on-field problems this season. Sharks started the game with the likes of Yi Quan taking over the role between the post with Micheal out of the game. The team made 2 more changes with Anuar coming in for Jaleel and Brendan dropped to the bench in favor of Naoki as the Sharks look intent to start the game on the offensive. The floodgates opened in the 6th minute as Isaac fed Harold for the opener. Despite that, the team went on to miss a glut of opportunities in front of goal with the Tigers being tore apart by their makeshift side. Heng Li however put the team's nerves aside to finish off another Isaac's assist. With 2 goals up, the Sharks continued to be wasteful in front of goal with Heng Li missing from a yard after some good play from Harold. Isaac almost made it 3-0 but his cross-shot went off the post and into safety. The team had to wait till the 30th minute before Harold got his second and his team's third and he completed his hat-trick 8 minutes later which somehow only managed to ease his manager in the sidelines after missing no more than 4 chances before his 3rd goal.

The second half started with further changes in defense with Vincent taking over the mettle in goal. Despite being 4 goals up, Sharks continued to pour forward and were rewarded when Jeremiah laid unselfishly for Harold to score his fourth. At the other end, Vincent calamatious goalkeeping allowed Changi United to sneak in a goal. That seemed to put a little impetus on the young side but Jeremiah made it 5-1 in the 61st minute. Isaac finally found his scoring boots to make it sixth before Graeme made his claim for a striking role next season with the goal of the game, finishing from a narrow angle. Brendan made it eight before Isaac scored his second and Sharks 10th in the 75th minute. Naoki put the final nail into Changi United's coffin as he waltzed past the custodian.

The manager commented, 'We expected a very close game but it was clear that Changi United needed a lot of sorting out to do, this was clearly a very different side from a season ago. On our part, we should have buried the game by half-time and some of our misses were just embarrasing. Nonetheless, we got what we wanted and should be looking for next season.