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Central Park is plagued by another slump that has seen them lose their third game in a row. The Sharks seem to be fond of dropping points at First Toa Payoh Secondary School, and even the absence of their manager for their game against FC MYK did not help. Captain Vincent and Muru made their long awaited comebacks, but couldn’t provide the extra spark needed for a victory. Making it worse was the long list of defensive absentees, including Shahril, Anuar, Vince and Zhuoneng.
The Japanese team once again held a vigorous pre-match warm-up by playing a mini game in their half. This however did not seem to tire them out, as they came at the Sharks with guns blazing from the first whistle. The boys in yellow did not seem to be able to handle the pressure, with MYK bursting down the flanks in numbers. Luckily they couldn’t seem to find the final pass, and most of their shots flew wide of the mark. Those that hit the target though, were expertly saved by Mizan. Then against the run of play, Central Park took the lead.
A little one-two between Heng Li and Jason saw the former put through. At the edge of the box, the diminutive striker took a touch past his marker and let fly his trademark lob-shot, which deceived the MYK goalkeeper to sail into the top corner.
MYK seemed even more determined after going behind, and began playing down the middle more through their skillful playmaker. The lanky midfielder cut through Central Park’s defensive barrier time and again, but somehow couldn’t seem to find the target. The Sharks, as usual, then meekly gave up their lead. Defending from corners seems a tall order for the boys in yellow of late, and this one was no exception.
An MYK player leapt above his marker, to head past the hapless Ryan who was guarding the far post. Another good chance fell to Jasdeep, when Chris Lam proved his dominance in the air once again to flick a through ball into the forward’s path. But Jasdeep’s fierce drive kept rising and didn’t trouble the keeper.
The Sharks were lucky to go into the break all square, as they withstood wave after wave of MYK attacks. Debutants Dennis and Omar were given their bows in the second half, ably replacing Vincent and Ryan. Muru too made his return after more than a year out. As the half progressed, most of the play became concentrated in midfield, with little action in the final third on both ends. Central Park’s best chance fell to Jason, when the excellent Brendan robbed the ball at the edge of the MYK box. Jason latched onto the loose ball, and dispatched an angled effort that fizzed a mere inch wide with the keeper well beaten.
The tiring MYK were content to hit the Sharks on the counter, and the tactic paid dividends when a poor touch by Charlson put pressure on his defense. The ball rebounded into the path of a MYK winger who whipped in an early cross into the box. Dominic failed to keep his line, playing a striker onside. The skillful forward flicked the ball up past his marker, and slammed the ball past the flailing Mizan.
The Sharks then poured forth in desperation, with defeat looming once again. Aaron and Heng Li had half chances, after both finding themselves in the box with pockets of space. But they failed to trouble the keeper, sending their efforts well wide. Then the hammer blow came, when Central Park once again lost possession in a dangerous position. The MYK striker was put through on goal, with only Mizan to beat. The big man in goal seemed to have forced the forward wide, but the speedster managed to hit the ball across goal, and an onrushing teammate was on hand to tap the ball into the empty net.
With not half the season gone, the Sharks still have time to get out of the relegation zone. But they need to find a winning formula quickly, or else a spot in division 4 spot awaits next year.
The manager who was recovering from a viral fever commented, 'We are going thru a bad patch and it's thru hard work from everyone for us to save the season.'
He added, 'We just needed a little more luck and hopefully we can turn things around in the next couple of weeks before the holidays.' |
