Eastern Rangers v Central Park

With their mind set on their next game with Rosebowl FC, the management decides to rest 8 players and give the rest a much needed run-out. The game sees the return of Irman from his 3 month loan to Makati Sporting Club, club captain Zul and custodian Helmi in goal. Zul set the tone for the game right at the start with a defence splitting pass which found Suhaimi making a run to goal, only for him to delay his shot and the chance was lost subsequently. The former too was kicking himself when he failed to convert his chance when the goalie failed to hold on to a shot by Panau, kicking straight to an onrushing defender. The Sharks could have sealed the match in the first 20mins with three goals up if they have brought their scoring boots with them after Walid had rattled the post shortly afterwards. The defensive quartet of Irman, Sarhan, Daniel and Hidir were rarely troubled with Eastern Rangers aimless long punt upfield.

Sharks might have known it was not going to be their day when Eastern Rangers take the lead straight from the kickoff in the second-half after a defensive lapse between Daniel and Irman allows the forward to break free with their first attack of the game as anyone can remember. Arrogant and cocky was aptly suited to describe the Sharks defensive quartet when they were caught off-guard by Eastern Rangers forward when they scored their second goal of the game. Preferring to play elaborate passes when a simple one would suffice. Shell-shocked, Sharks began to play with more purpose and immediately responded when Zul scored a simple tap-in after great work from Panau on the left to pull a goal back. Waves and waves of attack from the Sharks were foiled by the either the cross-bar or Eastern Rangers defensive bodies. Their eagerness to draw level came to naught when the opponent struck on the break, beating Helmi on a one-on-one situations, to put the game beyond them with 10mins remaining. Perhaps the last action of the game summed up Sharks outing when Daniel almost ran half the length of the field beating everyone, including Eastern Rangers custodian. Only to fire his shot wide from two yards out.

The managers stated after the match, 'It wasn't a poor performance. We got frustrated once Eastern Rangers scored but that was a natural reaction. I have no problems with our performance but we did not take our chances.' He added 'We were wasteful with our chances after creating some really good positions and did not really finish them off.'