Tanjong Pagar United 3-0 Courts Young Lions

20130606

Queenstown Stadium

Scorers Kamel Ramdani ‘5, Monsef Zerka ’77, ’79

Ong Jiing Yih

 Photo Gallery     |     Match Highlights

Tanjong Pagar United got off to a fantastic start in their Starhub League Cup campaign after a 3-0 victory over Courts Young Lions.

Kamel Ramdani swept home the opener after only five minutes for a dream start for the home side.

Monsef Zerka then notched up his 10th and 11th strike across all competitions with a quickfire double to kill off any hopes of an opposition revival.

The star player of the Jaguars certainly proved his worth and he even helped preserve a clean sheet by helping out in defence on a few occasions.

The visitors’ night completely collapsed when Fareez Farhan received his marching orders following a late altercation with Zahid Ahmad.

Otherwise, the home side were otherwise good value for their win despite a slightly flattering scoreline.

Not that being decked out in their away kit or a 90-minute long delay for the kickoff had any adverse effect, apart from labouring through sections of the game.

Now onto the match proper – little action had been witnessed until a first corner arrived for the hosts after three minutes.

And an opening goal to boot!

In an attempt to clear, a ricochet off two Courts Young Lions players presented Benahmed with a shot.

The loose ball in turn reached Ramdani who tucked in at first time of asking.

Far from being overwhelmed the young ones set about clawing their way back into the match.

In their bid to try an even up proceedings, the visitors produced their maiden effort, a daisy cutter by Sherif El-Masri not troubling Aurelien Herisson.

An interesting match up proceeded thereafter in midfield, where the likes of Sazali Salleh, Ramdani et al pitted their wits against Raihan Rahman, Afiq Noor and M. Anuman

Moments later, a well-intended volley by Zerka veered off the target

Undeterred, danger was lurking as Fareez hit a long range effort, only to be kept out by a deflection on 20 minutes

The match descended into a period of possession play, without much headway in the final third of the field.

All that caused concern was a succession of freekicks within range of both goals.

Asraf headed just wide off Ramdani’s delivery in the 33rd minute to maintain the balance of play in favour of the home side,

Next up, Zerka took if upon himself to create a chance out of nothing, only for the intervention of Sheikh Abdul Hadi to deny him.

Moments later, Ramdani could have made it two after a Benahmed knockdown set him free, only for a scuffed shot to keep the fans’ hearts from popping out of their mouths,

The latter then got in behind Firman Hanif in a bid to retrieve Walid Lounis’ lofted forward ball only to be crowded out by some resolute defending.

With chances at a premium, Tanjong Pagar could no more than to pummel a barrage of crosses to try and distract Syazwan Buhari.

However, a testing centre by the dangerous Sherif El-Masri seemed set to fall in the path of a fellow light blue shirt before the stray ball was hacked clear by Anthony Aymard.

The pendulum swung back in favour of Tanjong Pagar and Benahmed was again on hand to test the young ones, rising above Firman to head over the target.

The young ones began to grow into the game by holding possession in swathes entering the second half, though without creating any clear-cut chances.

Herisson had to be at his best to punch clear a threatening delivery from Fareez approaching the hour mark.

Raihan Rahman seemed set to restore parity as his speculative attempt skimmed off the upright.

If that letoff posed as an incentive for the Jaguars to go on the attack, they certainly took it despite the ball rolling past Asraf before he could conjure up any potential strike on goal.

The time has come for Tanjong Pagar to try and calm nerves by clinching a second goal, however Asraf’s cross flew straight into Syazwan’s grasp.

Mistake by Ahmad Latiff then set El-Masri on a rampaging run which the entire defence was grateful for the shot to have veered off course.

Minutes later, a defensive lapse in the Courts Young Lions ranks saw Latiff’s deflected cross fall into the path of Benahmed.

However, the Jaguars were not to be denied as the all-important second goal came after Sazali Salleh slipped Zerka through on goal, who finished with the greatest of calm.

Asraf then flicked on an assist for the Moroccan marksman to kill the game off completely barely 120 seconds later.

After the introduction of Hanafi Salleh into action, there was time for Zulfadli Emran and Abdul Rahim to make their debuts.

Rahim almost capped a debut goal had he not scuffed his header just wide following good work by Asraf on the wing.

Post match, head coach Patrick Vallee was nonetheless pleased to garner the three points.

“I didn’t know if it was to be our game today but it had been good, and I’m pleased for Monsef who showed what he can do. The opposition might have been good but we don’t care; it is a must win for us today.

“I’m always happy for the team, especially for the defence whoworked very hard, did a very good job and kept a clean sheet today. We try our best in all competitions but for now what is most importantis who wins in the end.”