AMSL’s Benfica books its spot in top 8 semis
Benfica books its spot in the semi-finals of the AMSL top 8 after dispatching Tsutsumani 5-4 on penalties.
Alexandra Masters Soccer League outfit Benfica FC has progressed to the league’s top 8 semi-finals after beating Tsutsumani Masters 5-4 on penalties at the Lombardy East’s Victoria Grounds on February 25.
The sides had ended their hour of official play tied 1-1. As per league rules, the game had to go straight to penalties to decide which side progressed to the semis.
The semi-finals will be played on March 3, with the final scheduled for March 10, both still at the Victoria Grounds.
Throughout the game, Benfica seemed to be the better team – their hunger for the win was evident. It was clear that they wanted to progress much more than their Tsutsumani opponents as they mounted far more shots on goals and runs towards creating scoring opportunities.
A member of the technical team even voiced his disapproval of the team’s game plan of defending deep into their territory, saying it might cost them dearly.
Interestingly enough, it was Tsutsumani who found the back of the net first to register their name on the scoreboard from captain Dickson Senama’s boot.
Soon after that marvellous strike by captain fantastic – Jan Senama took a brilliant free kick that was punched back to the field of play by the keeper, Theo Maluleke and the rebound was safely in the hands of the keeper.
Minutes after Senama’s attempt at adding a second goal for Tsutsumani, Benfica’s Itumeleng Nkwana was up to the game as he thundered a shot that rattled the back of the net and left keeper Patrick Racheku bamboozled as the teams went into the halftime break deadlocked 1-1.
On resumption, Benfica’s Ronald Getwa put the ball into the back of the net and went on a wild and elaborate celebration, only to learn it would not count as the referee had ruled him offside.
A header by Benfica’s Tshepo Kgatla almost set the side up for semi-finals within regulation time but it went inches outside of the upright and the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate and went straight to penalties.
Other results of the top 8:
Asazi Bafana 2 versus Mosquito 0
Herdbuoys 2 versus Cameroon 1
Chivas 1 versus Joy 0
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