Tanjong Pagar United 2-1 Loyola Meralco Sparks
25 July 2013
Queenstown Stadium
Scorers Monsef Zerka ‘6, Ismael Benahmed ’18; James Younghusband ’25

By Ong Jiing Yih

A disciplined, consummate and measured performance alleviated the path on the way to a 2-1 first leg victory for Tanjong Pagar United in the RHB Singapore Cup.

Despite the slender advantage, the defence comfortably dealt with most of the threats posed by the Filipinos.

Throwing caution to the wind, a dream start ensued after only six minutes when Monsef Zerka touched home Kamel Ramdani’s freekick to put his side on the front foot.

Ismael Benahmed then made it two after collecting Sazali Salleh’s incisive though pass, exchanging passes with Ramdani before rifling past the exposed Baba Sampana in the Loyola Meralco Sparks goal.

The left hand side was certainly profitable as the like of Ramdani, Sazali and Zahia Ahmad all had a decent outing.

With nothing to lose, the opposition were content to rain in deep crosses and first-time passes in order to seek out the Younghusband brothers, a move that came to little fruition.

At the same time, the much-feted Korean imports were largely subdued and had half of quartet hauled off in the second half.

However, the visitors pulled then pulled one back when captain James Younghusband gleamed in Matthew Hartmann’s freekick in mid-air.

His side, willed on amidst much cheers from their travelling contingent of fans, went onto garner more possession in the second period.

As it turned out, Philip Younghusband threw himself early on as he threatened to get onto the end of a long cross barely after 150 seconds.

To the Jaguars’ relief, Aurelien Herisson was able to watch the ball sail wide without harm.

Before anyone could blink Zerka had already got the fans off their seats, heading in a magnificent goal off an assist by the astute left foot of Ramdani.

Undeterred, the Korean connection was in action when Jeon Byeong Yeol and Jang Jo Woong combined for a half-chance which nearly constituted an instant riposte.

Jang Jo Won was next to pop up en route to goal, missing the target from distance.

Action swung back in favour of the hosts when a lofted pass by Sazali almost found Zerka in the clear after 15 minutes on the clock.

There was much delight minutes later when they stepped up a gear and edged further ahead.

Benahmed finished off the move he partly initiated by sidefooting home a teasing, low centre by Ramdani.

Tanjong Pagar and Ahmad Latiff in particular had reason to feel aggrieved when a decision went against their favour.

Following his delivery on the set piece Hartmann picked out the elder Younghusband who fended off the advances of Zahid to score against the run of play.

John Wilkinson came close to restoring two-goal advantage in 33rd minute when left-footed drive whistled just past the post.

P. Younghusband found the side netting moments later before a moment of miscommunication landed Sampana in no-man’s land.

Benahmed might have made it three just before the break had he picked his spot and elected for placement rather than power.

Onto the second half, Hafiz was on hand to try and power home Zahid’s tantalising cross only for the effort to be matched by a decent save.

A series of near-attempts were missed almost completely until Ramdani worked Sampana with his half-volley.

On the other hand, Herisson was quick off his line to prevent a certain goal on the hour mark.

That brief letoff gave the hosts time and space to fashion more opportunities on goal.

First, Ramdani witnessed his freekick cleared in the 70th minute ahead of Benahmed, who sold Chad Gould a dummy before his attempted cross got foiled by Sampana.

Even with creativity and support relatively in supply, Lounis took it upon himself to find a route to goal – a 40-yard drive which bounced a foot away from the target.

Then on 84 minutes Wilkinson helped the ball back into the danger zone after a half-cleared cross, which Benahmed volleyed inches wide as a result.

Substitute Asraf Rashid joined in the act late on and received Zerka’s inviting pass but only managed to sting the palms of Sampana with his straightforward shot.

Hartmann had all of the Sparks’ faithful in earnest when he flashed a low drive wide across the six-yard box, one that proved to be the last chance of an absorbing contest.

Head coach Patrick Vallee was nonetheless all smiles as he spoke of the first leg success.

“Yes, I’m happy because we won the game. But most importantly we have the advantage; focus is key as nothing is finished.

“We started with our game plan but were disappointed to concede the goal. Still I’m pleased with how we handled the match and kept steady when having the ball. It had been a good game for the fans where both teams wanted to play and challenge.”