Tanjong Pagar United are only able to take a one-goal lead going into the second leg of their quarter-final tie with Philippines outfit Loyola Meralco Sparks.
Despite dominating the opening stages of that match, Patrick Vallee's charges were not able to stretch their advantage after storming to a two-goal lead courtesy of a goal each from Monsef Zerka and Ismael Benahmed in the sixth and 18th minutes respectively.
The visitors managed to regroup after that and narrowed the deficit after captain James Younghusband pulled a goal back for the United Football League side.
It was exhilarating end-to-end stuff in the first leg and fans can expect an even more exciting clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
With the match being held on a Sunday, there will be no doubt be an overwhelming support from the Philippines community here in Singapore, which Loyola coach Vincent Santos has said that they are looking forward to.
While the Jaguars heavily relied on their French quintet of Zerka, Benahmed, Anthony Aymard, Kamel Ramdani and custodian Aurelien Herisson, Loyola kept faith in their South Korean legion.
Park Min-Ho and Jang Jo-Won will be keeping guard at the backline, with Jang Jo Woong pulling the strings in midfield and Jeong Byeong Yeol forming a strikeforce partnership with Philippines international Phil Younghusband.
With only two full day of rest before their clash on Sunday, expect tiring legs to be the norm in the second half of the return tie and any mistakes made by either side then could prove to be costly.
All Tanjong Pagar have to do is prevent their opponent from scoring and they will secure progression to the semi-final as they seek a first final spot since 1998 - the year in which they won the trophy.
S League website
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