Croatian defender Ivan Lovric (above) scored his first goal for the Warriors, but it was not enough as they crashed 1-3 to Sengkang Punggol in the quarter-finals of the League Cup on 1 March at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Coach Richard Bok fielded a very different side from the one that held Henan Jianye to a goalless draw in the AFC Champions League game in China last week.

With Daniel Bennett, Mustaqim Manzur and Noh Rahman unavailable due to international duty and Shaiful Esah and John Wilkinson injured, several new faces were given a run.

Goalkeeper Hyrulnizam Juma'at was handed his first start of the season with captain Shahril Jantan rested.

Hafiz Osman was handed the captain's armband and he formed the backline for the night with Razaleigh Khalik, Lovric and Prime League captain Hanafi Salleh, who was also making his debut for the senior side.

In midfield, Niklas Sandberg was also rested. But otherwise, it was a recognisable set with Ahmad Latiff teaming up with Rhysh Roshan Rai, Taisuke Akiyoshi and Park Tae Won to supply ammo for Indra Sahdan and Federico Martinez upfront.

Sengkang stormed into a 2-0 lead in just 25 minutes through Mamadou Diallo (5th) and Murphy Wiredu (25th). Lovric then pulled a goal back for the Warriors in the 59th minute but Sengkang made sure of their semi-final spot when Jalal netted in the 67th minute. They will now face Etoile FC to qualify for the League Cup final on Sunday.

As for the Warriors, the next game will be a home match against K-League kingpins Suwon Bluewings in the AFC Champions League at the Jalan Besar Stadium next Wednesday.

Team: Hyrulnizam Juma'at, Hafiz Osman (C), Razaleigh Khalik, Ivan Lovric (Erwan Gunawan 74th), Hanafi Salleh, Park Tae Won (Ruzaini Zainal 50th), Rhysh Roshan Rai, Ahmad Latiff, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Indra Sahdan, Federico Martinez

Referee: Leow Thiam Hoe

Crowd: 1,802