Sim has taken a liking to upsetting Amakhosi
MATT SIM is in his first season in the PSL but already he seems to love playing against Kaizer Chiefs.
In August earlier this year, the Australian netted the winner in a 1-0 win over Amakhosi that took the Cape side to the semi-finals of the MTN8.
Last night at the FNB Stadium, the midfielder again provided the heroics in a 1-1 draw with the Soweto club that saw City storm to the top of the PSL standings.
With SuperSport United beating Wits 2-0 in Nelspruit last night – the Clever Boys’ first defeat of the season in the PSL – a point against Chiefs was enough for City. As things stand, City have 21 points at the summit, followed by SuperSport and Wits, both on 20 points.
But back to Sim – the Aussie started the game on the bench, but was introduced towards the end of the first half, after Austrian Roland Putsche was substituted.
City were struggling after Chiefs had taken an early lead, in spite of playing with a man advantage after Amakhosi’s Sibusiso Khumalo was redcarded in the 28th minute.
Looking rather flat, City were in desperate need of some inspiration, and it was Sim who provided the equalising goal eight minutes into the second half with a deflected shot from outside the box.
Chiefs may be one of the PSL’s most popular clubs, but perhaps someone failed to read the script to the Australian, who has taken a bit of a liking to them.
The Capetonians finished strong when they threw everything at 10-man Chiefs, who had to hang on desperately for the point.
It was a rather slow start to proceedings with both teams content to suss each other out, but Chiefs nevertheless took an early lead with a rather fortunate goal.
George Maluleka fired a hopeful shot at goal in the third minute, an effort which City goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters had covered.
But the ball took a wicked deflection off the leg of Amakhosi striker Michelle Katsvairo and rolled into the net.
Stunned by the early setback, City were almost punished again seven minutes later when central defender Tshepo Gumede slipped and allowed Chiefs forward Edmore Chirambadare to dash through on goal. Fortunately, for Gumede, Walters was alert, rushing out to make a brave save at the feet of the Zimbabwean striker.
Having won through to the final of the Telkom Knockout at the weekend, after a 4-1 win over Free State Stars, no doubt City’s lethargic opening to the game was probably due to a bit of a hangover from the emotional and physical effects of that victory.
They were then given an even greater boost when Chiefs were reduced to 10-men in the 28th minute, with left-back Khumalo sent off for a crude, studs-up tackle on City’s Thamsanqa Mkhize.
Still, the Capetonians struggled to get going. Their strength so far this season has been a flowing passing game and swift movement off the ball. But all of this was conspicuous by its absence as City failed to string too many passes together.
Despite being a man down, the Soweto side was still causing the Cape side quite a few headaches in defence.
On the stroke of halftime, City should have been level but, because goal-line technology is not available in the PSL, Chiefs got away with it. Sibusiso Masina’s attempt at goal crossed the line, but the match officials deemed that it did not, and the Soweto side breathed a sigh of relief.
The Capetonians came out with more purpose in the second half, with Sim providing the equaliser in the 53rd minute.
Again it was a deflection, with Sim’s long-range strike ricocheting off the leg of Lorenzo Gordinho and looping over Itumeleng Khune in the Chiefs goal.
Khune came off injured in the 66th minute and was replaced by Brilliant Khuzwayo.
City continued to press as they looked to win the game, but they couldn’t break down a resolute Chiefs defence.
Meanwhile, SuperSport extended their unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions with their victory over title rivals Wits at Mbombela Stadium.
Bafana Bafana defender Clayton Daniels and in-form striker Thabo Mnyamane both struck in the second half in Nelspruit.