City unable to find the all-important winner
CAPE TOWN CITY missed out on a chance to go top of the PSL as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Baroka FC at Cape Town Stadium last night.
But, in the end, the result was perhaps a fair reflection of the action on show. Both teams had periods of dominance and both had numerous second-half scoring opportunities. On the balance of play, City will feel they should have sneaked it, as they had the better chances, especially after going a goal down, but Baroka, it has to be said, gave as good as they got. The team from Polokwane are the surprise log leaders of the PSL – and, if you were wandering why, then their performance last night, would have been ample proof as to why they are in such an elevated position in the league.
The game got off to a lively opening five minutes, with Baroka impressing with some neat football. The Polokwane side played with verve and used a short, sharp passing style to get beyond the City defence. During one such attack, Talent Chawaphiwa created a moment of uncertainty in the City penalty area, but, fortunately, the Capetonians were able to clear the danger.
But once things settled down, both teams made sure they kept things tight and compact. Both defences were organised and kept shape, and scoring chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes. For City, Mpho Matsi headed an attempt over the bar, while Robin Ngalande drilled one wide for Baroka.
But Baroka came out with intent in the second half and carved out three early chances. Leonard Ntshangase was foiled by a superb tackle from City captain Robyn Johannes, Ngalande headed over and Ntshangase flashed an attempt high. But the pressure eventually told and Baroka stormed into the lead, with Ngalande steering a sweet shot low into the corner of the net.
The setback served to awaken City from their slumber and they threw players forward with abandon, in search of an equaliser. Substitute Ayanda Patosi whipped a shot over the bar and Letsie Koapeng was desperately unlucky when his goal-bound effort was blocked by the Baroka defence. Again, though, the relentless pressure had an effect, and it was rookie Craig Martin who got the all-important goal to level the score for City. And the chances kept coming as City grabbed the game by the scruff – Patosi shot agonizingly wide, Koapeng fumbled an inviting chance inside the fiveyard area, and Baroka goalkeeper Virgil Vries made a brilliant save to deny his own captain, Olaleng Shaku, from scoring a sensational own goal.
City finished well on top, but were just unable to find the winner. ARSENAL can cut down the deficit to Premier League leaders Manchester City and challenge for the title this campaign, midfielder Granit Xhaka has said.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday leaves them sixth in the league on 22 points while City are 12 points ahead after winning 11 of their opening 12 games, but Xhaka believes Arsenal can re-enter the title race.
“I think in football everything is possible,” Xhaka told Sky Sports News.
“Manchester City, at the moment, are on a very good run, they’re doing very well and others have dropped points – which they haven’t done – but it’s conceivable that they could drop points as well.”
City’s dominant run has seen them score 40 league goals and concede just seven to open an eight-point lead over secondplaced Manchester United but Xhaka says Pep Guardiola’s side could slow down and Arsenal must capitalise when they do.
“They might not continue as they have been. But our aim is just to focus on ourselves. We know we need to work and we’re convinced that we can compete at the top,” Xhaka added.
“I’m a person who thinks realistically but has dreams and fantasies as well. In football, everything is always possible.”
Arsenal play FC Cologne in the Europa League tomorrow followed by a trip to seventh-placed Burnley in the league on Sunday.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s unbroken 10-year run as Sweden’s best player came to an end on Monday when FC Krasnodar defender Andreas Granqvist won the country’s Golden Ball for 2017.
Ibrahimovic, who retired from international football after a disappointing Swedish showing at Euro 2016, dominated the award from 2007 to 2016 and took it 11 times overall. No other player has won it more than twice.
Granqvist, Ibrahimovic’s successor as captain, last week led Sweden to a 1-0 aggregate playoff victory over Italy to reach next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.
Sweden’s 36-year-old record goal-scorer, who returned from serious knee injury for Manchester United against Newcastle United on Saturday, wasn’t left completely empty-handed at the Fotbollsgalan awards, however. His club performances won him the best attacker prize. The Diamond Ball for best female player went to Linkoping FC’s attacking midfielder Kosovare Asllani. – Reuters