|
Central Park faced the Usual Suspects for the third time this season, after the referee failed to turn up for the same fixture last week. But a dismal Sharks’ performance spelt defeat once again in the final match of the year.
The lack of midfield and defensive options was telling once again, with most of the substitutes being forwards. With Vince Siow, and team captain Vincent still out of action, Shahril was recalled to the central defensive pairing with Anuar.
Once again Central Park labored to string 3 passes together as the Usual Suspects’ pressed the team into giving away the ball cheaply. The Suspects by contrast were fluid in their passing and movement, looking threatening with every attack. It was no surprise therefore, when the first goal came. Shahril’s misplaced a pass which was duly intercepted by a Suspects winger. He then fed a through ball to his captain, who beat a player and slotted home at the near post. It didn’t get better for the Sharks from there. Chasing the game would always prove challenging as the Suspects’ stout defence held firm, with their midfield constantly breaking up any Shark attacks.
The second goal however, came in controversial circumstances. A clearance by Anuar glanced off the Ryan’s arm, and the official didn’t hesitate to point to the spot. Central Park players protested that it was a clear ball-to-hand, but the referee waved them away. The Suspects converted for a two-goal cushion.
Kelvin replaced Zhuoneng minutes before the break, and he didn’t have to wait long to make his mark. The tall fullback’s massive clearance saw Chris and Isaac both break away from their markers. The Suspects goalkeeper tried to close them down, but Chris got to the ball first, powering a header into the back of the net to narrow the deficit. The mini revival didn’t last too long though. A mistake by Shahril gave away possession in midfield, and the back line became exposed yet again. The Suspects captain broke down the right and fired in a low cross. A striker tapped it expertly into the far corner, restoring their two-goal advantage.
The boys in yellow went in search of a goal with fervor after the break, but once again gave away possession far too easily to mount a serious threat. The Suspects sprayed their diagonal balls left and right, finding their wingers with almost every pass. A fourth goal for the whites didn’t look far away, and it came when their captain beat the offside trap on the right. His cross was turned away back into his path, and he made full use of his second chance to blast the ball into the far corner. The Sharks then concocted a similar move down the right, when Jess put Ian through. The speedy striker whipped in a cross which found Harold lurking on the far side. The clinical winger took his opportunity well, hitting a left footed shot past the keeper.
Despite this, the Sharks hardly looked like getting back into the game. The usually excellent Mizan uncharacteristically spilled the ball on a number of occasions, giving the defense a few heart attacks. One such mistake led to the Suspects’ fifth goal.
The defence was split apart when the midfield gave away the ball again. Mizan reacted quickly to close down the striker, and seemed to cut out the threat. But the burly custodian spilled the ball, presenting the forward with an easy tap in.
The Sharks weren’t done and attempted to salvage some pride from the match. Chris added his second of the game, when Harold floated in a free kick that evaded the Suspects’ defence. Chris then found himself in a pocket of space to fire home for the last action of the game.
Central Park’s fourth defeat in on the trot did little for the team’s morale, leaving the club mired in a relegation dogfight.
The dejected manager said, 'It was barely vintage Sharks today. We are just simply not doing the simple things right and it hurts us not only in this game, but over the course of the season or dare I say the whole year.'
He added, 'We just lack that fighting spirit and it's time we pull our socks up after a short break! |
