Angered, inspired – it makes for some game

An aggrieved Highlands Park meet an inspired Maritzburg United – that makes for an exciting match to kick off the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals as the two do battle at Harry Gwala Stadium this evening.

The Lions of the North were left fuming when their hard work came to nothing as Orlando Pirates scored an offside goal to beat them 1- 0 in a league match on Tuesday night.

The Team of Choice have, meanwhile, been grinding out results especially at home on Friday nights where they have gone on an impressive unbeaten run. Coach Eric Tinkler ( below) says playing in front of their supporters is the wind beneath their wings.

“Playing in front of our supporters gives the lads that added motivation and confidence,” said Tinkler this week.

The large crowds the team attract on Friday nights have helped the team to a good home record.

“We go into the game with that at the back of our minds – that we have had very good results at home on Friday nights. But that’s a mental thing and now we have to go on to the field and show the physical and technical side of it in order to take advantage of it,” he added.

And he understands that motivation and confidence alone will not be enough to overcome Owen da Gama’s hard-running side.

“We are all well aware that it is going to be a really tough game,” he admitted. “They are tough and competitive and are a very aggressive team. We have to match them in those aspects.

“But we will need a little more than that (to overcome them). We can’t just match them in terms of work-rate, work ethic and aggression. We also have to show technical improvisation and we need to look to create more opportunities than we have in the past few games.

“They are having a great season and went to the final in the MTN8, which will make them even hungrier for this one,” said the former Pirates mentor.

Perched snugly in ninth position after eight games in the Absa Premiership standings, Tinkler says their position allows them to go all out in the TKO to try and win the club its fi rst ever trophy.

“This club has been to a final before but unfortunately couldn’t collect the trophy.”