Bucs keep out SuperSport for semifinal spot
First hour’s work enough to see Orlando Pirates through as Matsatsansta fight back at the end
ORLANDO Pirates’ polished opening 60-minute display was enough to get past SuperSport United to the MTN8 semifinals.
First-half goals from Daine Klate, in the 33rd minute, and Kermit Erasmus (39th) set up the victory for the Buccaneers. David Mathebula pulled one back for SuperSport in the 69th.
For Pirates, Issa Sarr, impressive in their penalties win against Kaizer Chiefs in the preseason Carling Black Label Cup, was not in the match 18 as Thandani Ntshumayelo came into defensive midfield.
A number of teams struggled to obtain work permits for foreign players ahead of the season’s official kick-off with this weekend’s MTN8 quarterfinals. This is believed to be why Senegal’s Sarr and Togo striker Dove Wome, for SuperSport, were unavailable last night.
An energetic, fresh Bucs plucked apart SuperSport. Known for an ability to organise a side and have them play dynamic football, coach Vladimir Vermezovic’s combination moved the ball with authority.
It was quick, neat and crisp football that pleased the eye.
SuperSport had voiced their displeasure at the disjointed manner in which their side finished last season’s campaign in Cavin Johnson’s first season as coach. And the first hour of their first competitive match of 201415 did not show much improvement.
The centre backs — Mor Diouf and Clayton Daniels— were too far apart. Defensive midfielders Michael Morton and Thato Mokeke could not protect the back four. Matsatsansta did settle and find a spring in their stride for the last half-hour.
Pirates imposed their home advantage in the first half, from as early as the ninth minute when Mpho Makola’s chip over the top saw Erasmus unable to
It got a bit ragged for Pirates, as Ntshumayelo was casual in giving the ball away
get enough power on his shot to beat SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Erasmus then got in front of defender Mor Diouf to Daine Klate’s cross but could not head past Williams.
SuperSport had to be content with sporadic raids, such as when Thuso Phala’s low shot from outside the area was wide.
Impressive, too, for Bucs in the first 45 minutes was the manner in which, when real chances did open up from defence-stretching passing moves, they took their chances.
As is almost always the case, little Bafana Bafana player Thabo Matlaba provided much of the Buccaneers’ attacking momentum from left-back. Released on the flank again, Matlaba was able to square past a number of players in the middle to Klate, free on the right, whose finish went in off a touch from Williams.
Matsatsansta, instead of rallying, continued to unravel. Erasmus was through on goal from Klate’s pass to expertly chip over the horribly exposed Williams. The striker was free again and could have made it 3-0 just after that, but shot wide.
Pirates could also have added to the score seven minutes into the second half. Erasmus’s blocked attempt from the left fell to Matlaba, with the goal at his mercy. His shot slammed into the right up-right.
When SuperSport finally found some rhythm after the hour, Senzo Meyiwa stood in their way.
The Bucs keeper made a fine double save in the 65th minute from Phala’s deflected strike and Bradley Grobler’s effort from the rebound.
Vermezovic gave a debut from the bench to new left wing signing from Black Aces Thabo Qalinge, on for Sifiso Myeni.
Matsatsantsa, though, had just begun to pick holes in the Bucs back four and in the 69th minute David Mathebula was free on the left to thread from a narrow angle past Meyiwa.
It got a bit ragged for Pirates, as Ntshumayelo was casual in giving the ball away for Grobler to canter through and hit the side-netting.