ACTUALITE |
28.09.2001
Downs through in Coca Cola Cup
Sundowns qualified for the quarterfinals of the Coca Cola Cup when they beat Wits University 2-0 in a first-round clash at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.
The Brazilians now join Jomo Cosmos, Manning Rangers and Free State Stars. For the first time in many games this season, the hosts went on the offensive right from the outset and had the students` defence which had Ivan Winstanley as the only change from the side which shared the spoils 1-1 with Sundowns in a league fixture nine days ago working overtime to contain the hosts` marauding front row combination of Daniel Mudau, Hareaipha Marumo and Isaac Shai.
It was however Sundowns defender Jaos Magolego who came close to breaking the ice in the fifth minute when, during a goalmouth scramble, he had his attempt cleared off the line by alert Wits defender Charles Yohane.
Sundowns suffered a setback in the 29th minute when Mudau limped off with a suspected recurring groin injury and was replaced with striker Carlo Scott with goalkeeper John Tlale voted Man of The Match taking over the armband.
Sundowns took the lead in the 31st minute when, from a pass by defender Fabian McCarthy, Shai took advantage of Wits` goalkeeper Wayne Roberts who had moved off his line and scooped the ball into an empty net.
Winstanley denied his side an equaliser in the 33rd minute when he hesitated with his final shot a few metres from the goalline and Tlale had all the time in the world to collect the loose ball.
Wits came back strongly in the opening minutes of the second half and were nearly presented with a gift goal in the 47th minute by Magolego whose clearance went the wrong direction but was prevented by diving Tlale from rolling into the net.
In a bid to halt the visitors who were now coming at full force, Sundowns introduced Joel Masilela for Zambian international Gift Kampamba in the 59th minute, while the students countered by pulling out Yohane for Lawrence Masegela on the hour.
Wits, who had Lesotho international striker Teele Ntsonyane coming on for Oscar Mohohlo in the 73rd minute, were fortunate not to concede two goals when Sundowns` Marumo outpaced the defence but shot directly at advancing Roberts.
Sundowns` poor finishing continued when Scott and Marumo shot wide of the mark in the 80th and 84th minutes and in the 85th minute when Shai shot over the bar.
Any hopes Wits had of forcing the game into extra time evaporated in the first minute of injury time when Masilela, who was booked for time wasting had his corner kick, converted by defender Fabian McCarthy and put the issue beyond doubt for the hosts.
Referee Sipho Masondo booked Ashley Makhanya, Roan Maulgue, Bennett Mnguni and Joel Masilela for dissent.
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Hits: 1 | Source:Soccerway | |
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