By Song Sung Hai

For the first time ever, the Jaguars have reached the semi-final of the Starhub League Cup with a superbly energetic performance against the fresher Warriors, bringing home the tie 1-0 with a Firdaus Idros special.

The tie began off the back of a minor controversy with Warriors Head Coach Alex Weaver resting his first team players in their previous game which sparked off suggestions that the Warriors coach had opted to face the Jaguars over Albirex Niigata FC.

The suggestions were of course rubbished by the Englishman who explained that “Sports Science” was his only motivation in doing what he did.

It seemed to work as his charged had the lion’s share of opportunities to score in the first half with the likes Shi Jiayi missing by mere inches in the 35th minute.

Nicholas Velez also almost came through a mere there minutes later, capitalising on a Hanafi Salleh mistake to skip past Aurelien Herisson, but Hanafi recovered fast and well to block the goal-bound shot.

Even then, the first half was not without chances for the Jaguars still. The likes of Ahmad Latiff, Monsef Zerka, Sebastien Etiemble and Kamel Ramdani threatened at every opportunity.

Ahmad Latiff came closest in the 42nd minute after receiving a precise through-ball from Monsef Zerka which put him into a one-on-one with the Warriors’ custodian whose outstretched leg poked the ball away.

The second half had the Warriors giving Queenstown a scare when Velez kicked wide another opportunity just three minutes after the break. The Jaguars then dug in and the defence stepped up their game.

Hafiz Osman was unbeatable, with his physical strength and tireless running proving too much for Velez and Agu Casmir. Anthony Aymard’s reading of the game also proved crucial and his many timely interceptions saved the Jaguars from being exposed to unnecessary threats.

The two were complemented with rabid wing-backs on the night in the form of Hanafi Salleh and Nor Azli Yusoff as they kept the Warriors’ wingers at bay and shutting down every single incursions which came their way. They ensured that the Warriors’ Hafiz Rahim could not do anything on the night.

Tengku Mushadad and Sazali Salleh battled hard in midfield, negating the effect that the likes of Irwan Shah and Shi Jiayi can have on their team. Their performance ensured that the game turned into a battle of attrition in the middle for most of the second half and they were second to none.

With the game mired as such, the Jaguars ended up being the team almost settling the game in the final minutes of play. Monsef Zerka once again did well down the right flank and his low cross in missed everyone and found an unmarked Sebastien Etiemble but his shot rocketed straight at the goalie and the game went into extra-time.

The Warriors seemed to be out of steam and could hardly work up a single attack in the face of the courageous Jaguars defending.
It was a Patrick Vallée masterstroke that settled it in the end. Firdaus Idros was sent in for Tengku Mushadad in the 97th minute and the game totally changed its façade.

Firdaus Idros came close five minutes before the end when his energetic run brought him into the box but his shot straddled the goal-line and went wide.

The speedy attacker was not to be denied though and a minute later, Firdaus received a pass from Ahmad Latiff, who literally ran himself into the ground to make that pass. Daniel Bennett stood between Firdaus Idros and the goal and Daniel proved to be no obstacle as Firdaus skipped to his right and unleashed an unstoppable drive past the keeper and into goal, sending the Jaguars into the semi-final of the Starhub League Cup at the same time.

A delighted Head Coach Patrick Vallée praised his team’s performance and the manner in which they fought for the victory.

He added, “All 18 players on the teamsheet tonight are to be congratulated for the win. I told them I need all of them for this Cup as it is different from the S.League. So some players play, some are substitutes but I played all my S.League players.”

Patrick Vallée also explained that his intention was to definitely play Firdaus Idros at some point of time during the game.

“I had to see when it was a good time to put him in. I didn’t know which moment so I wait and wait and when he came in, he scored the goal which is good for the team,” he continued. “Now the worst has come because we get only two days to recover and prepare for the semi-final. It is not very fair but we will deal with that without complaint and work hard.”

Hence it came to pass that the scientific approach Alex Weaver adopted was undone by the wily French gaffer and the spirited ferocity with which his lads played and the Jaguars thoroughly deserved to go through.

Till next time!

Tanjong Pagar United: Aurelien Herisson, Nor Azli Yusoff, Hafiz Osman, Hanafi Salleh, Anthony Aymard (Ruzaini Zainal 112′), Tengku Mushadad (Firdaus Idros 97′), Sazali Salleh, Sebastien Etiemble, Kamel Ramdani, Ahmad Latiff(c) (Zahid Ahmad 118′), Monsef Zerka
Substitutes: Shamsudin Hashim, Zahid Ahmad, Shafiq Noh, Asraf Rashid, Firdaus Idros, Ruzaini Zainal, K Selvendhran
Cautions: Sazali Salleh (27′), Ahmad Latiff (88′), Firdaus Idros (101′), Hafiz Osman (109′)
Head Coach: Patrick Vallée

Warriors FC: Neezam Abdul Aziz, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Ismail Yunos, Shi Jiayi, Nicholas Velez, Marin Vidosevic, Kevin McCann, Daniel Bennett, Irwan Shah, Hafiz Rahim, Agu Casmir
Substitutes: Nur Asyidiq, Dharham Aziz, Zulfadhli Emran, Amin Rossady, Raden Ishmadi, Hafsyar Farkhan, Muhammad Fahmi B Ja’afar Abdul Razak
Head Coach: Alex Weaver

Referee: Sukhbir Singh
Asst Ref 1: Jeffrey Goh
Asst Ref 2: Muhd Syahir
Fourth Official: Muhd Syarqawi