Tampines Rovers 1-1 Tanjong Pagar United
26 October 2013
Clementi Stadium
Scorers Khairul Amri 49′; Monsef Zerka 67′

By Ong Jiing Yih

A spirited display by Tanjong Pagar United earned themselves a precious point after holding Tampines Rovers to a 1-1 draw at Clementi Stadium.

Despite Zahid Ahmad’s sending off for a second bookable offence, the Jaguars maintained their unbeaten steak for the month of October.

The match was not without other incidents though.

Their first major setback of the night ensued when Khairul Amri struck minutes after the restart after he finished off Jamil Ali’s assist with precision.

However, Monsef Zerka took advantage of slack marking by the hosts, finishing off a move first started by Zahid Ahmad and then Ahmad Latiff, by sliding by the ball into an empty net.

The draw ensures that the Queenstown outfit remain in sixth position in the S. League standings, seven points behind third-placed Albirex Niigata with two matches remaining.

For a start, it was all but plain sailing when Vitor Ladeiras fired a warning shot early on, testing the reflexes of Aurelien Herisson.

The visitors proved a tough nut to crack as Zulfadli Emran fizzled in a teasing cross for a fellow red-and-white shirt.

Captain Hafiz Osman was next to probe, finding Kamel Ramdani with a cheeky backheel.

With both sides missing key players, the game opened up in periods and chances were aplenty.

Asraf Rashid had a half chance on the free header which sailed wide after 23 minutes.

It was starting to get exciting and before anyone knew Anaz Hadee had got in the act, forcing a magnificent save out of Herisson.

With the likes of Jamil and Amri kept in check the team could free themselves up to fashion decent opportunities.

Hafiz could have broken the deadlock in one such instance, but a deflection on his goalbound shot softened the impact, meaning Andre Martins was able to make a save.

Onto the second half, the Jaguars could have been stunned twice in the first ten minutes of the second period.

As if Amri scoring was not enough the national striker then contrived to miss on the volley, missing an open goal at his mercy.

Kunihiro Yamashita was next to pop, striking the post with his 58th-minute diving header following a timely clearance by Anthony Aymard moments earlier.

Undeterred, Zerka nodded goalwards and eked out a save from Martins at full stretch.

He was to be involved in the next move and after Zahid’s cross was retrieved by Latiff, the Moroccan promptly passed into the unguarded net to restore parity.

But the danger was not yet over – ever the tricky customer, the unmarked Amri let flew from the edge of the box.

Thankfully Herisson was able get full hands on his attempt, sprawling across goal to avert danger.

With confidence rising Tanjong Pagar went in search of a second goal and went close.

K Vikraman made an instant impact having come on as substitute, squaring across the box for Latiff who turned and fired wide.

As the likes of Hanafi Salleh and Zulfadli all put in great shifts for the night’s work, nothing more were allowed past Herisson as the match slowly played out to it’s conclusion.

Post match, Head coach Patrick Vallee was asked if he was pleased with the point.

“No, not good enough; we wanted to win this game. My team tried to follow our plan – how can players (get away with) fouls and never got sanctioned? It’s us finishing with ten players at the end.

“We never gave up, we tried to build what we wanted. Being end of the season.. when we can’t win, we can’t win. It’s football. Everyone fought to get the result and I’m very happy about the performance.”

Tampines Rovers: Andre Martins, Ismadi Mukhtar (Ahmad Fahmie 77′), Jufri Taha, Fahrudin Mustafic (c), Kunihiro Yamashita, Vitor Ladeiras, Anaz Hadee, Ruzaini Zainal, Firdaus Kasman, Jamil Ali (Diogo Caramelo 70′), Khairul Amri
Booked: Fahrudin 28′

Tanjong Pagar United: Aurelien Herisson, Anthony Aymard, Hafiz Osman (c), Zulfadli Emran(K Vikraman 77′), Hanafi Salleh, Asraf Rashid, Ahmad Latiff, Kamel Ramdani, Monsef Zerka, Walid Lounis, Zahid Ahmad
Booked: Zahid 40′, 81′, Hanafi 70′
Sent off: Zahid 81′

Referee: Ahmad A’Qashah
Assistant Referees: K Surindranath, Manoj Kalwani
Fourth Official: Farhad Mohd