By Song Sung Hai

Bedok Stadium may well perhaps have it written in the stars that it shall be a venue where the Jaguars may never taste the sweet fruit of victory but it was a night not for divinations as the Jaguars attempted to claw their own destiny into the bark of the tree of fates. The flow of history have marked the Jaguars for defeat yet a defiant display had the team come close to rewriting the story but for a late goal from the Eagles that forced the Jaguars to go home with but a one all draw.

Head Coach Patrick Vallee had an unpleasant headache when it turned out that key midfielder Sebastien Etiemble could not play with an injury in training and Prime League player, K Selvendhran suddenly found himself penned into the starting line-up. He showed no frayed nerves partnering Sazali “SuperSaz” Salleh in central midfield and was never found wanting when weighed and measured by the opposition.

Patrick’s headache was worsened when Sazali pulled a hamstring after just ten minutes and his contribution for the night ended there and then. M Arvin took his place and the Jaguars on paper, began to look like a rickety old ship only floating thanks to temporary patches in the hole. This ship though, commandeered superbly by Captain Hafiz Osman, not only stayed afloat but also threatened to sail away with the plunder.

With Asraf Rashid and Sebastien Etiemble absent, the night needed a special person for the Jaguars to have any semblance of offensive calibre and Ruzaini Zainal was that person. The signs were there as early as the 11th minute when a poor clearance by Eagles custodian Joey Sim off a Firdaus Idros corner kick was hooked back into the box. Ruzaini Zainal was in the right place and poised to score but his casual in-swinger floated into the crossbar.

The entirety of the game was in fact a rather scrappy congregation in the middle as both sides battled to gain the upper hand but Ruzaini Zainal shone as the attacking fulcrum in the machinations of the Jaguars’ offense. Following up on his good performance last week, Ruzaini on the ball was an arrow-shaft released into the heart of the Eagles’ defence.

He was unstoppable and it may have taken ten games but the goal he scored in the 47th minute was one always waiting to happen on the night. The sturdy tank, Tengku ‘T15’ Mushadad had swung in a surprisingly sweet curler into the box off a free-kick which teased everyone but Ruzaini was in no mood for wanton frolicking on the grass and he was already in the air as the ball slammed into the welcoming embrace of the goal net, redirected off his foot.

The game was not without scares for the Jaguars and they suffered several with two noteworthy ones coming in the first half. First, Aliff Shafaein demonstrated how a ball could fly as high as an Eagle with only Aurelien Herisson to beat in the box and then Leonel Felice’s header veered just inches away from the post at past the half hour mark.

Aurelien Herisson also played a crucial part with a very astute reading of the game. He made several saves and interceptions which kept the Eagles from pecking into the lead. There was not much he could do in the 84th minute when Leonel Felice powered in an angled header sharply down into goal off a cross in by Aliff Shafaein.

What he did do was make two impressive point blank saves from chief Eagles attacker Leonel Felice in the 52nd and 55th minute to once again remind everyone present to witness the quality of goalkeeping he is capable of dishing out.

A sign of light in the stormy seas was also witnessed in the 82nd minute as creative wonder Kamel Ramdani finally stepped onto the pitch after being away ever since the opening game of the league. It was not much but it was ample enough time for him to show what the Jaguars have been holding back on.

It was only one touch but what a sweet touch it was to set Monsef Zerka through but unfortunately reaped no returns. It is a prospect to savour with Asraf Rashid coming back from suspension and Sebastien Etiemble hopefully recovering in time, to see the trio work their magic in midfield alongside Monsef Zerka and the energetic Firdaus Idros.

The occasion called for courage in the face of overwhelming odds and every single Jaguar on the pitch answered the call and stood tall. Hanafi Salleh ran and hacked away all night like a deranged jungle cat deprived of its catnip while compatriot Masrezwan Masturi threw his body into the fray when it mattered. He had earlier injured a finger just minutes from the start but it was not enough to stop him from damaging designs the Eagles had upon the Jaguars’ goal.

Head Coach Patrick Vallee acknowledged the difficulties he had coming into the game and noted the that it was made even harder when Sazali Salleh was forced off with his injury.

He said, “The game became very difficult and because of that, I must say I am very proud of my team. They were heroic tonight. They never gave up and played very well.”

Patrick thought that his team could hold to the slim lead but felt that the draw was a very good point to bring home indeed.

“I told my players that little things will come our way and we must grab the chances,” he added. “Maybe it came too early because after we scored, Geylang (International) pushed and pushed and pushed and at the end it was one good cross and one good header from their number 9(Leonel Felice). Even if we are disappointed, it is the way football is. I say again, it is a good point and I congratulate my team for their performance. They were very heroic and I am very happy.”

All season so far, the Jaguars have never taken to the field with a full squad but one characteristic of the team stands out clearly now and that is the combative spirit of the lads. Not one Jaguar on the pitch lacks guts and that even extends to all the Prime League players who were called up to fill in the gaps.

The tumultuous climate is ebbing away, thanks to the tenacious spirit of the Jaguars and even though we did not walk away with a win, it marks two games undefeated for us. May the courage shown never falter and guide us straight on this path that others dread to tread!

Till next time!

LINE UPS:
Tanjong Pagar United: Aurelien Herisson, Hafiz Osman, Tengku Mushadad, Masrezwan Masturi, Hanafi Salleh, Nor Azli Yusoff, Sazali Salleh (M Arvin 10’),(Kamel Ramdani 83’), K Selvendhran, Ruzaini Zainal, Firdaus Idros, Monsef Zerka
Head Coach: Patrick Vallée
Substitutes: Shamsudin Hashim, Shafiq Noh, Kamel Ramdani, Justin Khiang, Seah Si Hao, M Arvin, Lucas Jester
Cautions: Hanafi Salleh (19′), Hafiz Osman (70′), Masrezwan Masturi (74′)

Geylang International: Joey Sim, Yuki Ichikawa, Hamqaamal Shah, Kento Fukuda, Joaquin Lopez, Mustaqim Manzur, Leonel Felice, Franco Chivilo, Fabian Kwok, Aliff Shafaein, Ridhuan Muhammad
Head Coach: Jorg Steinnbrunner
Substitutes: Siddiq Durimi, Khairulnizam Jumahat, Wyldan Wisam, Jalal, Hafiz Nor, Shah Hirul, Hyder Ismail
Cautions: Fabian Kwok (71′)

Referee: Jansen Foo
Asst Referee 1: Jeffrey Goh
Asst Referee 2: Mohd Hidir
Fourth Official: Mohd Syarqawi