Hougang United 2-3 Tanjong Pagar United

(Robert 12′, Hasree 52′) – (Hafiz Nor 44′, Ismael Benahmed 75′ & 84′)

2013-3-22

Jalan Besar Stadium

by Ong Jiing Yih

Photo Gallery     |     Match Highlights

Tanjong Pagar United left it late to emerge triumphant in a smash-and-grab encounter following a 3- 2 win over Hougang United.

Hafiz Nor had already restored parity with a spectacular strike before Ismael Benahmed came up trumps with two goals in the last 15 minutes. Hougang to their credit gave as good as they got, leading twice through Robert Eziakor and Hasree Zais but ultimately fell short.

The pre-match onus was for the visitors to regain their early-season lustre following two successive setbacks, and they eventually responded in brilliant fashion. Hougang on the other hand had endured three games without a win, and they needed an early lift.

The Cheetahs had Jeremy Chiang and Jerome Baker in the starting lineup. For Tanjong Pagar, there were no major changes apart from the inclusion of Hafiz Nor and Zahid Ahmad, as Anthony Aymard dropped out of the 18-man squad due to injury.

Warning signs were evident, with Azhar Ahmad first blocking an attempt by Baker, before Eziakor sliced his effort wide on the volley. That was with only three minutes of the match gone.

Try as thy might, the Jaguars found the going tough with some uncompromising defending from the hosts, with Thomas Beattie sliding in on Hafiz in one instance. Somewhat against the run of play, the Cheetahs took advantage of loose possession, marauded upfield and went ahead.

After some interchange of play, the ball went astray following a well-intended attack by Monsef Zerka. As the move broke down, Azhar found himself having to contend with Baker on 13 minutes. In spite of his best attempts, the fullback could do little to prevent the cross and the unmarked Eziakor nodded the ball past Aurélien Hérisson.

Tanjong Pagar however were no mugs and launched an attack of their own in the 21st minute. Hafiz’s foray almost paid off had Fadhil Salim – during which a double save ensued – not prevented Benahmed from mopping up the rebound off Zerka’s header.

At the other end, Walid Lounis the skipper had to perform a last-ditch tackle to prevent Liam Shotton from going clean through on goal. Still, the visitors maintained the pressure and off a set-piece, Hafiz snatched at his attempt and proceeded to blaze the ball over the target.

The diminutive winger repeated the same trick only to endure the same outcome moments later. Just when the chips were down, the Jaguars gave themselves a confidence booster in the most timely fashion a minute before the break. They say fortune favours the brave and Hafiz was to get his just rewards with a third bite of the cherry.

When Asraf Rashid’s cross seemed headed for Jalan Kayu instead of the right end of Jalan Besar, Hafiz let rip and with great force, managed to force the ball past Fadhil via a dual deflection. The ball first brushed off the shoulder of Syaqir Sulaiman before whistling in off the crossbar.

What a goal despite the deflection! It was not the time to rest on their laurels, with the more important task of playing better in the second half uppermost in the team’s thoughts. Benahmed was certainly up for the challenge, waltzing past a posse of defenders before eking out a shot which whizzed over the target.

But it was the nominated hosts who got lucky, stealing a march on their opponents when it looked like the Jaguars were odds-on to score again. A left-sided corner by Baker should have been better dealt with. Unfortunately, with Hérisson stranded and no-one like Aymard to hover and keep things tight in the six-yard box, Hasree prodded home on 52 minutes.

In no mood to let up, Kamel Ramdani tried his manful best to find a way past the likes of Chiang and Faizal Amir down the left, even as the ball sailed unkindly away from his onrushing team mates. The next meaningful move however, when it did arrive, came down the right.

Zerka could have equalised in the 59 minute, off good work by Benahmed, had he kept his header down. Hougang were rattled and apart from some over-elaboration upfront they seemed content to strike from distance, with Baker the latest to pop up.

Substitute Fairoz Hasan almost made an instant impact when he teased, turned then triggered a curling shot, which Hérisson punched atop at full stretch on 68 minutes. In an instant, Syaqir almost sliced the ball into his net when a cross by Ahmad Latiff evaded Ramdani.

The game had finally opened up and with both sides trading goalscoring chances, it was frantic, end-to-end stuff all round. By then Tanjong Pagar had kept up constant pressure and all that required was a second equalising goal. Which duly arrived on 75 minutes!

With 15 minutes to go, Benahmed launched himself perfectly at Latiff’s inviting centre to open accounts for his side. The same player then connected immaculately with Zerka’s knockdown and with eyes firmly fixed on the ball, he hit an unerring effort off the outside of his boot.

As the Frenchman lapped up applause from his Tanjong Pagar team mates, his goal not only gave his side the lead but also kept them in the driving seat with six minutes to go. Asraf might have added further gloss to the score but his scuffed snapshot on the run mattered little in the end.

Post match, a delighted head coach Patrick Vallee had nothing but fulsome praise for his charges.

“I’m delighted of course; we played a very good game, we had tried to play well even if we’re a bit lucky. At the same time, we must also thank Hougang United (for contributing to such a spectacle), which can only be good for the S.League.”

The French tactician also shared his thoughts on the team, their togetherness, when asked about certain players.

“It’s not just about Monsef (Zerka) who can score, the emphasis is not just about scoring but more importantly, fighting spirit and the desire to win. My team is not just about individuals but everyone. “We had to be patient as we took our time to come back. We wanted a clean sheet today as it would ensure scoring of one point.”

So, what thoughts about his team with 5 rounds of the league played?

“I give my players one objective being, if we can garner 10 points out of 15 after these five games it’d be very good. All the better if we can do more!”