[Starhub League Cup] Jaguars hit the kerb at the Final hurdle

Coach Vallee led Jaguars to two Cup Finals

Two defensive errors that took place before the interval and shortly after the break proved fatal for Tanjong Pagar United that eventually saw them went down 2-0 in the hands of Brunei DPMM, the current league leaders in the Starhub League Cup Final played last evening.

The mid-year spectacle had proven to a resuscitation of form for the Queenstown-based side of having a chance to live up to their full potential that was hindered at the start of the year due to injuries of several key players.

Thumping victories in the group stages over Albirex Niigata (Singapore) and Police SA had drawn the Jaguars to face powerhouses Warriors FC in the quarterfinals and a hard fought victory against Hougang United in the semis before clinching the berth to their second successive Cup final.

Monsef Zerka (11) in aerial duel 

However, things didn't go according to the plan for Patrick Vallee's men in this televised showdown in front of 2,238 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in which either they failed to capitalize on their opportunities or a brick-like defence wall laid by the Bruneians stood their way from gaining any advantage.

Overall, the match was an evenly-contested affair between the two sides with end-to-end actions to and fro the both ends of the pitch with the difference being who tapped on the opportunity to maximize the potential to the fullest.

Adi Said scored Wasps second goal

Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic punished the designated home side by connecting well to a Hendra Azam's corner in the 34th minute to head home from an unmarked spot in the box to gift the Wasps the lead.

Adi Said was the next to stab home to double the score in the 47th minute by finished off the deflected cross to him from a sprint on the left flank by Azwan Ali.

With time running out for Tanjong Pagar in the match, Coach Vallee decided to flash his trump cards with the likes of both Asraf Rashid and Firdaus Idros in the second half to inject more flairs to his attacking side which did cause some stirs in the Bruneians' backline but only to see a diving header by Firdaus ruled offside in the 68th minute.

Asraf Rashid (middle) in action

Firdaus Idros (stripped top) proved his worth

"I am sad for my players but I cannot blame them for what they did tonight," said Coach Vallee after the match."We did have our chances in the match and maybe if Firdaus goal was allowed, things might change but I don't know if it was an offside from where I was."

"Two finals, two losses had not been easy for us, but I am happy to reach the final that it will good for Tanjong Pagar in boosting the team morale in the league after we did well in this tournament." added the Frenchman who was gunning for his second League Cup after he first guided Etoile FC to the podium in 2010.

DPMM won their third League Cup

On the contrary, DPMM coach Steve Kean was pleased with the outcome when he greeted the media.

Said the former Blackburn Rovers manager:"I am delighted for the win, as a move forward from last season's disappointment and they (Tanjong Pagar) were really good but I thought we kept them quiet during the match."

"Overall, I am pleased with the performance and we are having a good team who work hard that we can go far from here, but let's not get too carry away since I think there are still more to be done."

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