Central Park XI

4

vs

Cochise Kings

2

A double from Alejandro Palacious and a goal each from Aaron Huang and Na'eem to mark their return in the club setup gave Central Park XI a spot in the semi-finals of the EFL Challenge Cup where the Singapore Vikings awaits them. Things could have taken the turn for the worse when they went down to an early goal but sportmanship and true grit on the field finally won the match against Cochise Kings where both teams needed a result to go thru to the next round.

Sharks started with an attacking outlook with the likes of Tomas, Alejandro, Na'eem, Kit in midfield and Murugesan and Aaron spearheading upfront. That was solely to disguise the rather weak backline available for the team on the day. It looked to backfire when Cochise took the lead early after some bad defending in the middle of the the defense. Nonetheless, the boys in yellow restored parity when a stiff Alejandro's freekick richochet past the bodies in the wall shortly afterwards. That seemed to put a sting in the Sharks tail with several forays upfront and Aaron could have gave his team the lead shortly afterwards when he connected Alejandro's teasing cross from the right but it hit the post and into safety. With Cochise found wanting in midfield, Alejandro and Tomas took the game by the scruff of their neck and on numerous occasions, they were only denied by the final pass. However, Sharks wasn't to be denied when a quick throw-in found Alejandro in the box and he slotted coolly to give his team the lead for half-time.

The second-half started with Cochise on top for the opening exchanges and were rewarded when their nifty winger were just too hot for Jeffrey to handle as they drew the game level. Conchise seemed to have found renewed vigor after the leveler and could have taken the lead shortly afterwards but they too were denied by the post. With both teams searching for the equaliser, Sharks was given the lead by a stroke of luck and thru sheer determination. Aaron Huang made use of his pace to put pressure on the custodian where the latter made a clearance directly on the onrushing forward and into goal. By then, the match loook to be turning ugly with several late challenges being made but Sharks made sure of the win when Kit's cross found Na'eem free at the far post for the forward to stroke easily into the net from six yards. That goal ensured that the Sharks went thru to the semi-finals but scenes after the match was rather embarassing.

The manager commented, 'It was a pity that the match ended in that fashion. Ultimately, instigation on the sideline wasn't justified and especially so from a team's central figure. Nonetheless, this club have seen it all and at the end of the day, it's still about what happened on the field.