Yellow machines rolls all over Pirates
JOBURG - As predicted in a preview report on this match, Mamelodi Sundowns’ yellow machine was all over Orlando Pirates at last night’s Absa Premiership match at the iconic Orlando Stadium.
The final score line of 2-1 in favour of the Brazilians was not a fair reflection of the game and if Sundowns strike force of Khama Billiat, Leonardo Castro and Keagan Dolly were not so wasteful; the Tshwane side should have been up 5-0 at half time.
Castro opened the account for Sundowns in the 18th minute from a move started by Billiat, who passed the ball to Dolly, who in turn gave it to Castro, and the Venezuelan made no mistake with the easiest of tap-ins.
The Buccaneers’ game plan and instruction from coach Eric Tinkler must have been to smash down Sundowns with at least two quick goals in the opening minutes in order to demoralise them.
With this in mind, the Buccaneers started like a house on fire and missed two or so clear-cut scoring opportunities before the well-oiled yellow machine could settle its nerves.
Eighteen minutes after the first goal, Billiat latched on a rebound from keeper Brighton Mhlongo’s punch and rattled the net with one of his usual powerful shots.
Castro missed two sitters that that could have put Sundowns four up before the halt time break. Billiat also had his own chance to score but he too fluffed the opportunity and one could see the frustration from mentor Pitso Mosimane in the bench.
The teams went into the half time break with Sundowns leading 2-0, and upon resumption Dolly was another culprit of missed chances, after which the yellow machine fell into defensive mode and also started time wasting tactics, which earned Ugandan keeper, Dennis Onyango and a team mate yellows.
Alex lad Mpho Makola, who returned to the Bucs line up after a couple of matches lay-off due to injury, came back with a bang and thundered a volley from a spot kick in 76th minute which left the Brazilians’ Onyango bamboozled.
The Buccaneers had another chance to level scores in the dying minutes of the game when got another spot kick this time just outside the 18 area. Makola’s volley hit the wall of the Brazilians and ballooned over the bar and so the cookie crumbled. Not even the three minutes of the referee’s optional time could save the Bucs’ blushes.
