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Central Park bounced back from last week's defeat with a 3-0 victory in their return leg against VVNTU at Temasek Secondary on Sunday. Goals from debutant Girish and Johan in each half put the Sharks in front before Murugesan celebrated his return to the team with his team's third of the game, ensuring that the team put aside its defeat last weekend against the pacy and hardworking VVNTU side.
The team started missing a couple of regulars for the team with notable absentees such as Heng Li and Michael in goal. Up step Yi Quan who took the gloves for the match and upfront, Sharks welcome the likes of Andrew, Girish and Johan into the foil. The match at the same time marked the return of Murugesan and Steven back in the team as they look to put one against VVNTU. Sharks started the brighter of the two sides and they showed more intention and purpose as they closed VVNTU down quickly in the middle. Graeme was off the mark quickly for his team this time round and with Steven ably assisting him in the middle, the former became the focal point of attack for the Sharks. Up front, Murugesan was making himself a nuisance of himself as VVNTU found it hard to track the nippy forward. The Indian national had a glorious opportunity to put his team ahead in the early exchanges but he missed the target after being put thru by Girish. Shortly afterwards, he craved out a lovely interchange of passes on the right but his good work came to nought when he chose to shoot from a narrow angle rather than putting Andrew with a simple tap-in in the box.
VVNTU began to play on their wings but were often let down by the final ball. Midway in the game, Sharks could have gotten themselves a penalty when Girish was elbowed in the box but the stocky winger pulled himself up and shortly afterwards, he marked his debut with a cool finish after a good layoff from Murugesan. Sharks could have gotten a second shortly afterwards but somehow the likes Steven and Brendan failed to pull the trigger and instead, chose to square the ball. Nonetheless, Sharks held on for the slender lead at half-time.
The team made a couple of changes for the second-half and with chances at a premium, Sharks began to squander chances after chances and when they do beat the custodian, the post became the additional barrier for the team as the likes of Murugesan, Brendan and Girish found out. Just when VVNTU began to gain an upperhand in the game, another debutant struck for Sharks. Murugesan yet again laid a nice layoff for Johan to find the back of the net, giving his team a 2-0 lead. That seemed to put the team off the pedal as VVNTU continued to pull a goal back for themselves. The defense were caught with possesion on numerous occasions but this time round, VVNTU forwards were unable to convert their opportunities in front of goal. When they did find the target, captain Vincent was there to clear the ball to safety on 2 occassions, marking a MOM performance for himself. As VVNTU went in search of that elusive first goal for themselves, Murugesan capped a fine performance when he put his name of a scoresheet, probably feeling relieved after squandering a hatful of chances earlier on. That seemed to damper the opposition as Sharks held on for a 3-0 victory.
The manager commented after the game, 'The team showed more hunger and purpose and the victory was well-deserved as the players ran their socks off especially with the likes of Murugesan and Charlson while the defense held on and giving nothing away.'
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