Singapore Cup: James Younghusband scores but Sparks still fall to Tanjong Pagar

 

 

Tanjong Pagar United FC scored two quick goals in the first half to secure a 2-1 win against the Loyola Meralco Sparks in the first leg of the 2013 Singapore Cup quarterfinals on Thursday at the Queenstown Stadium in Singapore.

 

The Sparks fielded in 23-year-old goalkeeper Baba Sampana for the first time, in place of the injured Ref Cuaresma. The Ghanaian had a busy day, as Monsef Zerka opened up the scoring for Tanjong Pagar six mintues into the match, before Ismael Benahmed made it two-nil in the 18th minute.

 

Just seven minutes after, James Younghusband puilled one back off a Matt Hartman assist, but it would be the last time that any of the two squads would convert.

 

With the loss, the Sparks need to win by two in the next leg of the quarterfinals series to advance to the semis. If the Sparks only win by one, the match goes to extra time.

 

The second leg will be at the Jalan Besar Stadium on July 28. - Renee Fopalan, GMA News