Defending champions of the Discovery Alex Schools U12 Soccer League, MC Weiler, have been in a spirited mood in their quest to defend their title.
They consolidated their lead on top of the Stream 1 table with 11 points from five games after a 0–0 draw with last year’s losing finalists, Dr Knak, an encounter which had been dubbed a grudge match and possibly a final before the final.
Dr Knak were level on nine points with Iphutheng, but with a superior goal difference Dr Knak managed to capture second spot on the table of the so-called group of death. With Iphutheng beaten 1–0 by perennial underachievers, Ithute, this opened the back door for Dr Knak’s move into the semis for a second time in a row.
Read: MC Weiler sends strong message in bid to defend title
The game between MC Weiler and Dr Knak was a tight affair, with cautiousness being the watchword as most of the play was concentrated in the midfield. There were no telling runs into the box from either side and for the few attempts that occurred, they were easily dealt with by both defences.
The defending champions are unbeaten in the competition and were only held to two draws, one in their second match against Ikage, which they drew 2–2 and the other being the last game of the group stages against losing finalists, Dr Knak, which ended in a 0–0 stalemate.
To top up their good record in the tournament, they beat favourites and twice champs, Iphutheng 2–0. “We were in a mean mood and determined to defend our championship,” said MC Weiler coach, Vincent Thabiso Maretele, a maths and science teacher at the school.
“We’re going all out now to defend the trophy in the knockout stages. We will wage a relentless attacking game from now onwards, as there will be no room for a cautious game. It’s a knockout stage of the competition and we need to put pressure on our opponents from the word go.”
But there is a new threat on the horizon in the form of Skeen Primary School. They topped Stream 2 with 13 points from five games, having only drawn their opener against Zenzeleni.
Both Zenzeleni and Skeen qualified for the semis with a game in hand.
In the semifinals on 19 October, the defending champions MC Weiler will meet Zenzeleni while last year’s losing finalists, Dr Knak came face to face with a ruthless Skeen side.
If both the defending champions and losing finalists come out of this victorious, then fans are in for an exciting match and a grudge final.
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