MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (0) 1 LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS 0
SUNDOWNS burgled a late win over Golden Arrows and in the process kept their Absa Premiership title defence alive in last night’s clash at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
It was a gutsy performance by Arrows, who seemed to have done enough to secure a goalless draw until a rare defensive error in added time allowed Sundowns to snatch the winner.
It was Sundowns’ first postlockdown league win and they now find themselves three points adrift of log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Sundowns went into the match on a four-game winless streak in league competition.
Arrows are now still winless since play started in the ‘bio-bubble’ and remain in 11th position.
Arrows started on an enterprising note with a few spirited runs deep into opposition territory, but their hesitancy in the firing zone allowed Sundowns to deal with the threats promptly.
Sundowns appeared to be sitting back, but once they absorbed the early pressure they weighed in with a few penetrative attacks down their left channel.
Their midfield dictated play but were often guilty of overdoing the short passing game near the fringes of the opposition’s penalty area.
Sundowns managed a 4-0 first-half corner count, but on the half-hour mark, the third set-piece produced their best scoring attempt.
Central defender Rivaldo Coetzee out-jumped the Arrows defence and his deft header was cleared splendidly by Arrows goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana.
After a goalless opening stanza, both sides showed a greater sense of urgency, and in the opening seven minutes of the second half there were gilt-edged scoring chances for both teams.
Both sides were able to enjoy a host of attacks at regular intervals without setting up real scoring chances, and after 70 minute the prospect of a goalless result loomed large.
With time running out, Arrows started committing more players to attacking roles, which allowed Sundowns more freedom deep inside the opposition half.
However, Arrows stepped up their efforts on defence and weighed in relentlessly with first-time tackles to keep their lines intact – until the last minute of the match when Sundowns substitute Themba
Zwane scored the all-important goal that saw his side’s hopes of a third consecutive PSL title glowing red hot.