Arrows set for ‘physical’ derby

LAMONTVILLE Golden Arrows are aiming to steal the maximum points when they tackle Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday in what should be a mouthwatering KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) derby.

The two sides will meet at 3pm in the opening weekend of the Absa Premiership season.

Clinton Larsen the coach at Arrows, is expecting a very physical tussle away from home.

“We are ready for the start of the new season. We won’t read too much into our victory against Maritzburg United in the KZN Premier’s Cup.

“We didn’t want to show any hand in terms of the team that we will use when we meet on Sunday and they also did the same. We want to get off to a flying start.

“We are targeting a victory and I’m sure Maritzburg United want to achieve the same objective,” Larsen said as he vowed to break the hearts of the Team of Choice faithful. United opted to go for the shoestring team as they succumbed to Arrows 1-0 in the Premier’s Cup at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Saturday. On the other hand Arrows went for a much stronger side.

Abafana Bes’thende and the Team of Choice played out to two stalemates last season but both sides are determined to get off to a flying start.

“I’m expecting a very physical and quick game. It is going to be end to end stuff. There will be a lot of transitional play.

“A team that will maximise their chances on transitional play will have a better chance of winning the game. It is going to be a very tough game against the very strong Maritzburg United side,” he added.

Arrows have been based in Durban while United had a camp in Potchefstroom in North West.

“Our prep went well. Players have match fitness under their belt. We will start to gain our momentum in our fourth game. There are some few combinations that we tried and we are happy with.

“We want a winning start like last season in the league,” Larsen elaborated.

He is entering his f ourth season with Arrows. Larsen has achieved back to back top eight finishes.

In his first season, Arrows ended ninth on the log.

“We finished the league strong and we want to pick up fr om where we left last season. Maritzburg United had a very good season in the previous season. They have made some additions to their squad. We went for continuity. It is going to be a good game and let us wait and see.”