SINGAPORE—A shorthanded Global side found an unlikely hero in Aaron Altiche as it forged a 2-2 stalemate with Tanjong Pagar United in the first leg of their Singapore Cup semifinal clash at Queenstown Stadium Tuesday night here.
Thrust into the starting lineup following injuries and suspensions to key players, Altiche made the most out of his chance by firing the equalizer after an assist on Misagh Bahadoran’s opener as Global put up a spirited stand in the second half to keep the series on equal terms heading into the second leg on Friday.
The second leg will be played at Jalan Besar Stadium with the winner on aggregate scores advancing to the finals to face the survivor between S-League sides Home United and Baliester.
Joshua Beloya also sparkled at midfield with skipper Ben Starosta and Marwin Angeles, striker Rufo Sanchez caused problems despite getting isolated up front for most of the match and Jason de Jong helped marshal a backline that needed to deal with Tanjong Pagar’s big and physical forwards.
And despite Bahadoran getting denied by the crossbar on a breakaway in second half stoppage time, Global got a measure of satisfaction form the result.
“We’re happy (with the draw),” said Global manager Dan Palami. “We saw how they played and I think it will be a good platform for us going into the second leg.”
“I’m reasonably pleased because the lineup is down to the bare bones,” said Global coach Brian Reid. “Physically, they made it hard for us, but we competed well and worked hard.”
Fielding a makeshift roster, the Filipino side settled into the game quickly and it took just seven minutes for Bahadoran to open the scoring.
Altiche beat his defender on the right, before whipping in a low cross to the far post that Bahadoran finished off clinically.
French striker Ismael Benahmed tied the match in the 30th minute, firing a stinging shot from a well-worked free kick routine.
Moroccan international Monsef Zerka pounced on an error from Global goalkeeper Roland Sadia four minutes into the second half to give the Jaguars a 2-1 advantage.
But the Masbate-born Altiche, who had spent the last two seasons playing for Laos in the UFL’s second division, responded with an equalizer borne out of sheer hard work.
Tanjong Pagar keeper Aurelien Herisson fumbled what looked like a routine catch on Jeffrey Christiaens’ cross and a determined Altiche was quick to pounce, stroking the ball into an empty net in the 69th minute.
“We always knew he (Altiche) worked hard but he was extra special tonight,” said Palami.