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Another victory and another 3 games to the finish line as Sharks edged closer to capture an automatic promotion place for Season 12. It was a scrappy win nonetheless, but somehow the Sharks showed more vigor and drive in search for all 3 points as Aaron found the back of the net with 5 minutes remaining after the opposition level things up in the second half with Sharks going into half-time with a slender 1-0 lead off Andrew.
The Sharks were quick off the blocks as they put the opposition on the backfoot right from the kickoff. It was definitely a much better performance from the team as a whole compared to their last outing. In this fixture, the Sharks were quick to close down their man and their passes were crisp particularly on the right with Brendan and debutant Hafiz causing a series of problems on the flank. In the middle, the duo of Graeme and Dave were marshalling the centre of the field with authority with the likes of Andrew and Heng Li were a thorn in the opposition's defense. With Sharks controlling much of the opening exchanges, a couple of opportunities fell for the Sharks to take the lead but against the run of play, R.A.B caught the defense flat-footed and Hafiz was adjudged to bring his man down unfairly in the box. Nonetheless, the opposition blew the opportunity to take the lead after their resulting penalty were missed wide. At the other end, Sharks could have taken the lead shortly afterwards but a header off Andreas bounced off the bar. With Sharks having found a new aerial threat upfront with the additions of Andreas and Andrew, it was not surprise when both of them combined for the team's opener. Andreas finding Andrew in the box off a freekick as the latter nodded home leaving the custodian stranded. With their tails up, Sharks continued their forays upfront and were unlucky not to go up by 3-0 at half-time when the opposition's custodian made a series of saves to keep his side in the game.
A change of strategy from the opposition in the second half saw them with renewed vigor as they managed to carve out opportunities of their own. With the opposition banging on Sharks defensive line, it didn't take long for their to breach the quartet of Vincent, Kelvin, Charlson and Jaleel as hesistation from the defense allow the oppositon free rein in the box as Michael was beaten on his near post, 1-1 as it was anyone's game from thereon as both sides missed a glut of opportunities in front of goal. Aaron could have given his team the lead midway into the half but his goal was ruled offside but that didn't hamper the pacy forward as he went in search of the elusive winner. Just when both teams would have settled for a draw, a series of changes changed the pattern of play as Aaron latched on pass from Andreas and the forward made no mistake in a one-on-one opportunity to give his team the lead, with five minutes left on the clock. R.A.B came out to level the game a second time but the defense stood firm to collect all 3 points.
The manager commented, 'Some of the inter-change of passes in the first half was a sight to behold. We could have gone up 2-3 goals. Nonetheless, what matters now at this point of the season is to collect maximum points as we look forward to finish the season strongly.
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