By Song Sung Hai

Birthday boy Patrick Vallée was gifted a 3-1 victory by the lads over the Young Lions at Queenstown Stadium with a commanding display of football despite missing some key players.

The Jaguars were never in danger of losing the game as the players on the field rose to the occasion and showed the Young Lions some sleek moves. Monsef Zerka, who scored one goal and had a hand in Firdaus Idros’ as well, tormented the youngsters along with Kamel Ramdani, who scored the third goal.

Both teams also left the match with ten men each after Ruzaini Zainal received his second bookable offence in the 72nd minute along with Young Lions’ Fadil Kamis in the 85th minute for the same.

The score-line could have been much more for the Jaguars though with the likes of Ruzaini Zainal constantly penetrating from the flanks and he came close on two occasions in the 18th and 26th minute. Both times he found his way past the defenders but both his stingers went just inches wide.

Mere seconds after Ruzaini’s second miss though, the unstoppable Monsef Zerka received a beautiful chip in from Kamel Ramdani. Without even stopping to take a glance, Monsef squared the ball to the incoming Firdaus Idros who simply had to slot the ball into goal.

It only took eight minutes for the second goal to come and this time, through a delicious in-swinging cross from the experienced Nor Azli Yusoff which just missed Afiq Tan but Monsef Zerka was present to nod the ball in.

The third goal came after the break in the 51st minute in a display of pure wizardry by Kamel Ramdani. Receiving the ball some ways off the box, Kamel turned two defenders and his grass straddling screamer had no equal.

Such was the solid display in defence by Nor Azli, Hanafi Salleh, Hafiz Osman and Ruzaini Zainal that the Young Lion’s only real chance was in the 44th minute when Jordan Webb broke through rather scrappily. His first shot was blocked by Aurelien Herisson back to him and his following shot rocked the post and went out.

Their second attempt was the one that resulted in Ruzaini Zainal receiving his marching orders after Ruzaini lunged in to prevent Sahil Suhaimi from scoring in the box. The referee gave a penalty and the Young Lions’ Mohd Iqbal duly converted.

Prime Leaguers Afiq Tan and Marchus Wheeler, both getting their first start, gave a very good account of themselves. Marcus held the fort well on the left until a fist to his eye forced him out in the 82nd minute. Afiq Tan was a constant menace up front, showing that it is not necessarily the best young players that play in the FA’s elite youth squad.

Afiq Tan came close to getting his name on the scoresheet but he was to be denied a dream debut by the stretched toes of the Young Lions’ custodian.