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Central Park put aside last weekend defeat to bounce back and run out 2-0 winners against Matador FC. Both teams were square at half-time but after the break, Sharks scored a contentious goal thru Isaac when they were awarded a freekick after Matador failed to kickoff after 3 tries, that goal seemed to bring the game alive but Isaac ensured that they capture maximum points when he got his second midway in the second-half. The forward could have ended the game with a hat-trick but his goal shortly afterwards was ruled offisde. With 4 games left to the season, the finish to the season look all the more exciting.
Sharks started the game with 2 changes after last weekend defeat with Brendan coming in for Naoki while Graeme grabbed back his position in the middle of the park after an encouranging performance in his last game. Both team were content to battle in the middle of the park but it was Sharks who were presented with a golden opportunity early in the game to take the lead. Isaac found himself in a fantastic position after a cutback from Heng Li but the former were unable to connect the cross cleanly in the gaping goal. The team continued their good spell in the attacking third, this time round, Heng Li found himself in a great position but the dimunitive forward were unable to find the back of the net. At the other end, Matador were kept at bay and the only sniff they got in front of goal was a shot from outside the area which didn't trouble Michael in goal.
With the heat taking it's toll on both sets of players, the passing by both teams left much to be desired and the closest Sharks ever came to taking the lead in the game was in the form of Harold's piledriver which rooted Matador's custodian only for the ball to bounce off the post and into safety as both teams ended the half level.
The second half started with Matador restarting the game. After failing 3 tries to getting the kickoff right, the referee awarded Sharks a freekick in the middle of the park. Jiayong found Isaac with acres of space and the forward put some pressure on the nervy Matador custodian. His hardwork paid off when the custodian fumbled the ball as Isaac tussled with the covering defender for the team's opener, much to the relieved of the forward who have not have the best of spell in recent games. The goal seemed to put the vibe back to Isaac. Shortly afterwards, he was picked up by Heng Li's cross and with a single sweep of his right foot, he found the back of the net, only for the referee to blow for a contentious off-side. As Matador regrouped, Sharks were having a good spell but were often caught offisde. Matador on the other hand recovered from being a goal down and began to play with a renewed purpose as Michael kept being tested in his area. The Sharks custodian showed a safe pair of hands and nerve by coming out with confidence which rubbed off his defenders.
Just when Matador were getting back into the game, Isaac came up with his team's second goal after Graeme's pass and though the former's shot was initially saved, he made no mistake from his follow-up. Brendan could have made it comfortable shortly afterwards when Yi Quan picked him out nicely on the right but the winger were caught in two minds and opted for a cross instead of testing the custodian. Matador had a great opportunity towards the end to narrow the deficit but Micheal came up tops in a one-on-one situation as Sharks ran out comfortable winners.
The manager commented, 'The first goal was a little contentious and Matador had every right to be aggrieved by the referee's decision. We on the other hand had the run of the green today and should be looking to finish the season strongly.
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