Central Park

2

vs

Matador

2

Central Park clinched the title on Sunday with a game to go after they clinched a point against Matador at Springfield Secondary. Sharks got off to a good start when Sho gave his team the lead after just 3 minutes. Matador however drew level midway in the first half. After the restart, Sharks were back on top after a cracking finish by Isaac but a lapse of concentration from the defense allowed Matador to sneak in a goal just before the end of the game. Despite the result, the point was enough to clinch Sharks the title.

The game started with Sharks edging in terms of posessions and the suprise starting line-up with Murugesan being left on the bench in favor of Sho paid instant dividends almost instantly as the latter put the team into the lead when he rose highest to plant Harold's freekick into the back of the net. However, the goal seemed to put the Sharks into a sleep mode as Matador go on the offensive. The opposition five man defense stood firm and provided the team with a very compact midfield which Sharks had no answer to as the likes of Graeme and Jiayong were often found wanting in the middle of the park. Sharks on the other hand were harassed at every touch and found it difficult to provide any stern challenge to their defense. With Sharks backline on constant pressure at every attack, Matador soon were rewarded when they level the game midway into the first half. That seemed to spark some life into Sharks play but the opportunities that fell to Heng Li and Isaac were not being capitalised as both teams go into half-time leveled.

Sharks tried to inject some life into their attack by introducing Murugesan for the second half but he too were unable to break the firm opposition defense. Though what Sharks needed was just a point, that didn't dampen their offensive play and they were soon rewarded when Isaac latched on to a poor Matador's defending. Hustling his way into the centre of the area in a packed defense, he found the back of the net with a cracking shot inside the box to give his team the lead again. The lead put the Sharks in a lively mode as they craved out a couple of chances with the closest coming from Murugesan who were on hand for a rebound but the forward was slow to pull the trigger. Shortly afterwards, Harold who had a quiet game for his standard came close to extending his team's lead but his shot went wide after some good footwork just outside the box. At the other end, Sharks defense were having a quiet second half compared to the first till captain Vincent had to be replaced after suffering from chest pain. The change seemed to put the defense in disarray as Matador snatched the equaliser with just 10 minutes to go. However both teams were unable to crave out any opportunities for the remainder of the game as the game ended 2-2, a result which was enough for Sharks to lift the title.

The manager commented, 'It was not a classic and the team did not get out of their first gear today. Matador showed more desire in today's game. However, the boys deserved a pat on their back for they way they played this season and not just by this game. For that, they deserved the position they are in for this season.