Central Park International

2

vs

AIG FC

1

Central Park International went for the jugular as their 2-1 win against AIG on Sunday meant that both teams are still in the running to finish champions albeit the latter having a superior goal difference going into their final game against The Usual Suspects. Sharks on the other hand though will start next weekend knowing that any slip-up by the leaders meant that they are ready to pounced.

The game started with AIG knowing that as long as they collect all 3 points, their last game will be a mere formality. On the other hand, Sharks have secured a promotional placing coming into the game and it was thus focused on their desire to push the title right on the final day. However, it was the leaders who took the game to the Sharks and they were unlucky not to take the lead early in the game after some questionable defending. As the game wore on though, Sharks began to dictate the tempo of the game with Jiayong marshalling and protecting his defense well in the middle of the park. Both teams were unable to find the break-thru after some great defending by both sets of defenders and it wasn't till the 30th minute when the match conjured up a goal courtesy of Vikram who finished with a picture-book header after a peach of a cross from Naoki on the flanks. The latter could have scored his team's second but his low grounder bounced off the post and into safety. Murugesan on the other hand were handed on a silver platter when a comedy of errors by AIG defense found him unmarked in the box but the forward pulled the trigger too long. Just before half-time, Soerensen was on target with a stiff scorcher but it was palmed away to safety as Sharks go into half-time with a slender 1-0 lead.

Second-half started with the introduction of trialist Tomas Miranda who replaced Jiayong in the middle of the park and in come the likes of Yash, Jason and Dung. As per the first half, AIG started the half strongly and were always dangerous on the breaks. The pressure on the defense finally paid dividends for AIG as they level the game 1-1 on 60 minute. At the other end, Sharks kept probing forward but were often caught wanting in the final third. Vikram would have given his team the lead again when he was on hand for the rebound after Soerensen's pile-driver hit the bar but the former was somehow caught suprise as he placed the rebound wide. With minutes ticking by, Sharks put Iskandar back into action to replace Yash and it proved a masterstroke. Tomas collecting a pass off Soerensen on the right and found Iskandar lurking in the box. Despite being closed down by the opposition defenders, he got first to the ball and bounced off the defender and into goal leaving the custodian stranded. The goal was enough as Sharks held on for a valuable 3 points with everything to play for in their final game against Espzen Gogooryo in two weeks time.

The manager commented, 'It was a good win for the boys and the pressure is now on AIG to finish the job in their final game. As the defeat for the FC team shows, anything can happen in the last game.