Central Park XI

2

vs

FC 204

3

Central Park journey in the FA Cup came to an end after going down 2-3 to FC 204 at PUB Recreation Club on Sunday. The match saw the Sharks coming back twice in the game and both teams finishing the game with 10 man with Charlson being shown his marching orders midway into the first half. Goals from Muzzammil and Isaac ensured that the boys kept in tandem with the opposition but there were no comeback when they conceded the third goal.

It was the opposition who got into the game quicker of the two teams and they were nearly a goal up after Sharks defense were caught dozing off early in the game. As the game wore on, Sharks managed to conjure up attacks of their own but they were clearly missing the talismatic display of Soerensen who looked listless based on his high standards and the only danger came from the fleet-footed of Naoki who was causing all sorts of problem on the flanks. Just when Sharks was getting into their stride, they conceded after some terrible defending leaving Michael in goal no chance to safe from the shot which came off one of his defenders. Nonetheless, the team soldered on and were rewarded when Muzzammil who came on to replace the off-color Soerensen climbed highest off a corner taken by Isaac. Moments later, some terrible sporting display with a stamp on Charlson and the righback retaliation meant that both team ended up with 10 man at halftime.

The second-half started with Sharks taking the early intiatives but they went down in the 54th minute but just as quickly, Isaac brought his team back level when he met Brendan's cross and his glancing header trickled slowly into the net. There were no coming back for the team when their opposition took the lead yet again and had a goal disallowed for dangerous play despite coming close from a close range effort from Heng Li and a scorcher from Naem. On the other end, Michael came up tops on a number of occasions to deny the opposition from increasing their lead.

The manager commented, 'It wasn't a classy game as on paper but the boys had a great run-out in time for the new season.'