Playouts Reunited

2

vs

Central Park

2

Sharks were left to rue their chances as they were held 2-2 against Playouts Reunited on Sunday despite taking the lead twice in the game. Brendan Lim put his team in the lead in the 20th minute when he latched on a defensive error from the opposition. A strong second-half display by the opposition pit the Sharks in their own half for almost the duration of the game and they were duly rewarded when they managed to equalise with a cracker of a goal from outside the area. Na'eem then single-handedly restored his team lead only for the boys to crumble in the dying minutes from yet another goal from outside the area.

The team started with a mini defensive crisis when the likes of Vincent Yeo and Kelvin Tan had to pull out of the game due to a niggling ankle injuries and in came Moeller and Fooken to form the defensive quartet with Charlson and Yi Quan. Sharks welcomed back Naoki Fukishima and Muzzammil for the game but the former had to start on the bench with Brendan Lim taking his place on the left after a strong display in the last game. The winger though repaid the manager's faith when he latched on a defensive error after Mohd Na'eem had put pressure on the opposition defense as he sidefoot the custodian in a one-on-one encounter for the lead. Sharks had their tails up for the remainder of the game and they could have extended their lead on a number of occasions but they just couldn't find the finish in front of goal. The best opportunity fell after some great work by Heng Li on the right but he was quickly nullified inside the box. Brendan and Na'eem had half chances with their head but it didn't troubled the opposition custodian.

Second half though saw a strong display from the opposition as Sharks were pegged back into their own half. They were duly rewarded when they managed to sneak in a shot from outside the area and it found the top right hand corner leaving Michael in goal no chance. Nonetheless, Na'eem restored his team lead shortly afterwards when he latched on Jeffrey's pass and with only a defender to beat, he beat his marker with ease leaving him with a simple finish. The goal didn't dampen the hardworking opposition as time and time again, they seemed to find that extra space in the middle of the area. One such play found them with a sight on goal and they duly accepted the invitation to shoot from outside the area as they level the game yet again with 5 minutes remaining. On the other end, Sharks had a glorious opportunity to clinch all 3 points when Iskandar set-up Muzzamil with a cushioned header inside the area after Mohd Na'eem found the former with a peach of a pass but the midfielder dragged his shot high and wide as he opted for power rather than placement. That was the last action of the game as both teams finished the game with a point each.

The manager said after the game, 'We didn't close them down quickly in the middle and it's disappointing to drop points with just minutes remaining. That was the disappointing aspect of the result.