|
Central Park edged closer to the divisional title after they dispatched East Avenue 2-0 on Sunday at Henderson Secondary School. First half goals from Charlson and Issac was enough to seal the win for the Sharks in the bruising encounter where they now need to complete the job in their last game of the season against Simei United next weekend.
The match kicked off in a frantic manner but the Sharks were winning the early exchanges and probing into the opposition half. The towering figure of Isaac who missed the intial encounter between the two became the focal point of attack ably assisted by Heng Li who both combined well enough to create the team's first opportunity inside 5 minutes. East Avenue on the other hand were unable to dictate the tempo which could partly be blamed due to their fierce recruitment of new personnel just in time for this encounter and it was plain to see the level of understanding wasn't there in their play. Sharks though took the game by the scruff of the neck and they took advantage of their early pressure to go a goal up after just 10 minutes thru the most unlikeliest scorer Charlson, who came lurking into the box unmarked and volleyed Kit's pin-point corner at the near post. The team knew well enough that the goal was the perfect antidote to rejuvenate the team and 4 minutes later, Muzzammil mishit pass meant that Isaac had to work hard to harass the defender into making a mistake and harassed he did. Out of nothing, he fought for a lost cause and won the ball from the defender and from the narrowest of angle, he notched his 12th goal of the season and his team 2nd of the game. Despite a two goal cushion, Sharks learnt well from the lesson in the first encounter whereby right after taking a two goal lead, they allowed the opposition to creep back into the game. This time round, the boys kept their shape as a collective team as they held on till half-time.
A single change was made at halftime with Naem coming on for Norazman. It was a battle for possession as both teams fought fiercely for every ball in particular captain Jeremy who was covering every blade of the grass and the likes of Charlson, Yi Quan, Ridzman and Kelvin providing the much needed steel and resolve to protect the lead. East Avenue came closest to scoring off a freekick just outside the box. Michael who probably have an easy afternoon with the defenders in front of him keeping East Avenue attackers at bay made his save count when it matters most after diving full length to save the resulting freekick. In the other hand, the trio of Muzzammil, Isaac and Heng Li kept the opposition busy with their telepatic understanding and were unlucky not to catch the opposition on the break. As the referee blew for full-time, it was a well-deserved victory as they held on to their advantage.
The manager who celebrated his birthday just a day earlier said after the game, 'The boys stucked to the plan and didn't allow the opposition time on the ball and allow them to play their game. Naturally it affects their temperament and while there were clearly some over the top challenges, at the end of it, the boys kept their heads and showed that they wanted the game more.'
|
