By Ong Jiing Yih

Global FC 1-2 Tanjong Pagar United
Singapore Cup semi-final second leg
4 October 2013
Jalan Besar Stadium
Scorers Monsef Zerka 3′, 58′ pen; own goal 71′

Tanjong Pagar win 4-3 on aggregate

Tanjong Pagar United march proudly into the RHB Singapore Cup final with a 4-3 aggregate triumph over Global FC.

Monsef Zerka was one of the heroes with two goals after giving his side the dream start with the first goal in as early as the third minute.

The Moroccan then doubled the tally from the penalty spot, sending Sadia the wrong way after Jason De Jong brought down Ismael Benahmed.

Unfortunately, the top scorer inadvertently headed the ball into his own net to give the Philippine side a scarcely-deserved lifeline.

Amidst jangled nerves at times, the Jaguars held out to ensure passage into the final of a competition they last tasted success in 1998.

Backed by vociferous support from both sets of fans there was incentive for both teams to perform, and especially so for the visitors.

John Wilkinson was one of the big guns to return to the first eleven and while he took time to settle down, the first act by one of his colleagues proved a telling contribution.

Hafiz Osman the skipper took a throw-in and after Kamel Ramdani bought himself a yard to cross, Zerka leapt highest with freedom of Jalan Besar beckoning.

Off he went and planted a neart header firmly beyond the reach of Sadia.

Caught cold by the early setback, the guest team came out with all guns blazing and laid siege – Rufino Sanchez whistling a stern shot wide on thirteen minutes.

Jeffrey Christiaens then sliced a freekick wide of the target having managed to bend the ball past the wall.

The same player attempted to play in behind the Jaguars’ defence as he shot from the edge of the six-yard box minutes later.

Thankfully, the flight of the ball was ably disrupted by Walid Lounis and it nestled safely in the grasp of Aurelien Herisson.

However, Tanjong Pagar were not without their own chances once Asraf robbed Patrick Delon of possession following an errant pass.

Having done the hard part, the winger could only blaze over the crossbar.

Approaching the 35th-minute mark and while a heavily-bandaged Benahmed resumed action, the midfield duo of Ahmad Latiff and Wilkinson shone.

Winning challenge after challenge, they were involved in some of the best passage of play as Global were left chasing shadows.

However, despite dominating the job was nowhere near half done.

Ramdani should have doubled the lead but with two teammates in support he choose to go for glory himself, directing his effort straight at the goalkeeper in the 44th minute.

They could not afford to rest on their lead following the restart, after which Misagh Bahadoran dodged his marker and zipped forward.

Threading a clean pass to Sanchez, the latter pulled the trigger as Herisson matched the effort with a vital save.

Over at the other end, another free header saw Lounis miss the target.

Ramdani then raked in a Hollywood-style ball across the field for the marauding Benahmed to chase, a move which led to the penalty.

Up stepped Zerka to put the Jaguars 4-2 ahead on aggregate.

Global’s Ben Starosta miscued a long range as Benahmed worked Sadia with a low, hard attempt across goal before calamity struck.

Having pulled one back with around twenty minutes to go, Global fans upped the decibels as noise pollution became apparent; Anthony Aymard in particular stood tall in defence as Tanjong Pagar endured a late barrage.

Having absorbed incessant pressure, Zerka thought he might have been able to pull off a hat trick but sliced a freekick over the target instead.

Despite a late Global rally, the Jaguars saw through the five added minutes without incident.

Birthday man and Head coach Patrick Vallee praised his team for the victory, during a cup run which witnessed the conquest of three invited sides.

“We’ve not finished; we’ve won nothing by reaching the final. I feel very proud for Tanjong Pagar to do that, to reach our first final since 1998. I’m also very proud to be the first coach to bring the team there.

“Some players maybe couldn’t play but they really wanted to help the team reach the final. And if you were to ask if I was anxious after the own goal.. sincerely, no. I didn’t want to disturb them; nobody talked as everybody concentrated on the game.

“We want to approach the final in a good atmosphere and with a good feeling.”

Global FC: Ange Guisso, Paul Mulders, Ben Starosta(c), Rufino Sanchez, Misagh Bahadoran, Roland Sadia, Aaron Altiche (Jeremy Theuer 82′), Jeffrey Christiaens, Joshua Beloya (Marwin Angeles 63′), Patrick Delon, Jason De Jong (Jerry I Barbaso 71′)
Booked: De Jong 20′, Delon 89′

Tanjong Pagar United FC: Aurelien Herisson, Anthony Aymard, Hafiz Osman (c), Asraf Rashid (Hanafi Salleh 85′), Ahmad Latiff, Ismael Benahmed, Kamel Ramdani, Monsef Zerka, John Wilkinson (Hafiz Nor 68′) (Zulfadli Emran 90′), Walid Lounis, Zahid Ahmad
Booked: Wilkinson 16′, Hafiz O 67′, Herisson 81′

Referee: Abdul Malik Bashir
Assistant Referees: Edwin Lee, Andrew Kee
Fourth Official: Syahir Ahamadi