CFC v Central Park

Winless in their last 9 games and starting the game in their jinxed away grey jersey, the Sharks were expected to extend their winless streak in this game. But a rallying call from the players to give their manager an early birthday present provided the impetus for the team to record an astonishing result which eclipses their last highest winning margin against Sandy FC and it gave the manager and the Sharks fans plenty to cheer about even after the match. Even when Sharks number one Shaun elected to stand in between the post for the opposition after the opponents were struggling to make up the numbers at kickoff did not stop the hungry Sharks.

The match featured the return of forward Michael and Walid for the team after a long absence with the former making into the starting lineup. Amran was given the task to man the Sharks goal with Irman regaining back his role in defence after missing last week draw against Thai MU Supporters. The surprise in the lineup has to be the inclusion of Sarhan to spearhead the attack for the first time in order to fulfill his boyhood dreams. Khairuldin made into the starting eleven after a good turnout in their last game while 2 young trialist Danial and Faridil were given a starting debut in the centre and left midfield respectively. Michael started the rout in the first minute when his industry forced an error in Blue Chelsea defence and he made the chance count by notching his first goal of the afternoon. While many expected the Sharks to sit back after taking an early lead, debutant Danial showed his youthful exuberance when he ran the opponents defence ragged with his pace and slotted Sharks second in the 5th minute. The debutant turned provider in the 10th minute when he laid a perfect pass for Michael to slot the ball past the hapless custodian. Sensing the opponent clearly struggling without a natural goalkeeper, Shaun volunteered his services for the opponent and order was momentarily restored, with the burly custodian barking orders to the Blues defence. However, his first contribution was to take the ball off his net when Danial blasted the ball on goal, beating Shaun in his near post after a layoff from Michael.

Sarhan which had remained anonymous from the kickoff began to show his mettle when he intercepted the ball right from the kickoff after Sharks fourth goal and bulldozed his way through the Blues defence to open his accounts in the 25th minute. Danial and Michael had the chance to grab their respective hat tricks but were denied by Shaun. Zul was next to be denied by Shaun when a corner by Danial found the former unmarked and his header was easily saved by the stand-in goalkeeper for the Blues. Another debutant Faridil then began to ply his trade on the left and his cross found Sarhan who were unmarked on the far side. He buried the golden chance without a second invitation. While the money was on Danial and Michael to grab their hat-tricks before halftime, defender convert Sarhan paved the way when he grabbed his hat-trick just before the final whistle. The Sharks were leading 7-0 at halftime and clearly now, the Sharks strategy for the remaining of the game was to keep a clean sheet for the first time and to remain focus and professional for the second-half. Michael was clearly none too happy with his contribution despite scoring 2 goals on his return after he missed a bagful of chances in the first half, clearly blaming Shaun who snuffed out most of his goal bound effort.

Despite his disappointment, Michael started the second half similar to how he started the first when he broke through the offside trap from Sarhan's pass to notch his hat-trick. Walid who replaced the ineffective Din grab his first for the season and the game after a sweeping move by the Sharks, perhaps the best move of the game when the pass started right from defence and a sweeping ball by Jeremy found Walid on the right. Within 2 touches, Walid smashed the ball to the far corner leaving Shaun stranded on his line. For the next 10 minutes though, the Sharks fans were reeling on the ineffectiveness of Farhhad on the left when he was caught offside no less than 5 times during that duration. However, he seemed undaunted by the booing crowd when his enterprising play releases Jeremy on the left and the latter ran his hearts out to score his fourth goal of the season and the Sharks 10th of the game.

The Sharks defence who was not tested for most of the game was given a scare when Zaidi lost the ball in the middle and with Irman and Jeremy clearly out of position, the Blues threatened to score their consolation goal only for a last minute tackle by Sarhan prevented them doing so. Danial grabbed his hat-trick in the 68th minute and added his fourth shortly. Zul was then denied twice by Shaun on 2 occasions on a one on one encounter before Michael ended the Blues miserable afternoon by grabbing his fourth and Sharks final goal of the game.

The smiles were definitely back at the Sharks camp with the resounding victory after a terrible run of 9 games without a win. While the results were resounding, it remains to be seen if the Sharks can keep up their winning mentality for their next game. Their next game will see them return to their homeground after a month long absence due to repairs being done on the pitch. Perhaps the biggest boost for the team will be the success of the 3 new young players in Khairuldin, Faridil and Danial which added a much needed youthful exuberance to the team overall play. Thus the question now remains on whether are they able to keep their respective places when the Sharks regulars return to the team?