Tanjong Pagar United 0-1 Home United
30 October 2013
Queenstown Stadium
Scorers Masrezwan Masturi 39′

A scrappy goal was what it needed for the points to slip away from Tanjong Pagar United once again, after Home United edged out a cagey encounter 1-0.

The solitary strike arrived in the 39 minute when a mistake in the backline left Aurelien Herisson exposed, leaving Masrezwan Masturi to tap past two players into the unguarded net.

Billed as a dress rehearsal for the Cup final by some, this was a rather subdued affair as far as fulfillment of league commitments was concerned.

However, the French goalkeeper kept his side in the match with a series of vital saves, notably one with his legs to deny Hafiz Rahim a minute from time.

With this result it means the Club can only achieve a position no higher than fifth.

Pre-match, K Vikraman came in for the suspended Zahid Ahmad while the visitors experimented with some players in unfamiliar positions.

With all their big guns kept in reserve, the away side had a rather unfamiliar look with Juma’at Jantan in midfield a prime example.

Despite some early pressure the Protectors held possession in their own box, leading the likes of Monsef Zerka and Vikraman to chase for scraps.

Precious little came in the way of chances for much of the first half, until Masrezwan Masturi worked Herisson for the match’s first attempt on target.

Both sides were resolute and afforded next to no room for any attacker to fashion goalscoring chances.

Home then went on the fast break in the 33rd minute, Jordan Webb straining every sinew before squaring to the onrushing Hafiz, who missed.

But he was not to be denied when he retrieved a loose ball and created an assist for Masrezwan Masturi six minutes later.

The closest the hosts came to restoring parity was when Vikraman saw his shot blocked by a flailing Kwon Dakyung, after Kamel Ramdani had robbed Sirina Camara of the ball approaching half time.

Onto the second half, and following a long punt forward by Herisson a tug by Ismail Yunos on Zerka on the edge of the box presented a decent opportunity.

When that evaporated it was left to Herisson to spare his side’s blushes, with a routine save from Masrezwan at the near post.

Vikraman was next to threaten, attacking a cross from the left and headed straight into Shahril Jantan’s grasp.

Tanjong Pagar had their own designs nevertheless, Asraf Rashid coming mightily close to scoring with a free header, a sitter missed off Vikraman’s useful cross.

The game which had been a poor spectacle for large parts came to an end, as the winless run against Home continues.

This was what Head coach Patrick Vallee had to say post-match:

“People can say how physical we were but I can’t understand why a team like Home United is second.”

“We are only Tanjong Pagar – how would anyone expect the Club to be in sixth position in the league, quarter finals of the League Cup and now the Singapore Cup final?

“We tried, we didn’t want to lose this game but we might have won had we been more focused and capitalised on opportunities. A mistake (which decided the game) was the difference.”

Tanjong Pagar United: Aurelien Herisson, Anthony Aymard, Hafiz Osman (c), Zulfadli Emran, Hanafi Salleh, Asraf Rashid, Ahmad Latiff, Kamel Ramdani, Monsef Zerka, K Vikraman, Walid Lounis
Booked: Zulfadli 36′, Ramdani 62′, Vikraman 70′, Lounis 84′, Hafiz 90′

Home United: Juma’at Jantan, Noh Rahman (c) (Sevki Sha’ban 54′), Ismail Yunos, Kwon Dakyung, Hafiz Rahim, Jordan Webb (Lee Kwan Woo 76′), Shahril Jantan, Masrezwan Masturi (Firdaus Idros 79′), Sirina Camara, Nor Azli Yusoff, Song Ui Young
Booked: Kwon 43′, Lee (time to be verified)

Referee: Farhad Mohd
Assistant Referees: Er Swee Ann, Andrew Kee

Fourth Official: Mohd Irwan S