Orlando Pirates and Tottenham Hotspur draw
Posted: 19 July 2011 Time: 22:10
Tottenham Hotspur failed to win their second 2011 Vodacom Challenge match after being held to a 1-1 draw by Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.
Rafael van der Vaart had given Spurs the lead with a free-kick, but Happy Jele’s super strike earned Bucs a share of the spoils.
But for the last five minutes, Spurs were all over Pirates in the first half, with Gareth Bale the main destroyer down the left flank.
It was the Welshman who came closest to opening the scoring in the first half – getting past two challenges before firing a volley over the bar.
Bucs were keeping possession, but hardly penetrating and resorted to long-range shots from Daine Klate and Isaac Chansa which failed to test Brad Friedel.
Spurs took a deserved lead on 17 minutes – Rafael van der Vaart curling a sublime free-kick into the corner after Ruben Cloete had fouled David Bentley.
Bongani Ndulula came close with a near-post header from Jele’s cross, before Bale again weaved his magic – surging down the left and putting in a cross which just eluded Jermain Defoe.
Bale forced Meyiwa into a smart save from a free-kick before Pirates equalised somewhat against the run of play on 40 minutes – his thunderbolt from the right of the area catching Friedel by surprise and flying into the top corner.
With their tails up, Bucs went in search of another goal and almost found it a few times – Segolela shooting straight at the goalie; Ndulula’s flicked header going just wide; and Daine Klate’s finish being ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time.
Predictably, there were a spate of changes at the break, but Bale was still on nearly gave Spurs the lead again – his surging run down the left finding Aaron Lennon unmarked in the area, but the Englishman’s strike was poor.
Spurs came even closer on the hour-mark as Robbie Keane played in Niko Kranjcar, who cleverly chipped the advancing Senzo Meyiwa, but debutant Siyabonga Sangweni was back to clear off the line.
But like in the first half, Pirates finished the stronger of the two sides. Substitute Mark Mayambela flashed a shot wide, and it took an excellent last-ditch tackle from Michael Dawson to prevent Oupa Manyisa from scoring with 10 minutes to go.
Bucs turned on the skills and tricks in the last few minutes, but could not find that elusive winning goal.
Teams:
Orlando Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Happy Jele (Njabulo Ntusi 63’), Lucky Lekgwathi (Robyn Johannes 63’), Rooi Mahamutsa (Siyabonga Sangweni 46’), Reuben Cloete, Andile Jali (Clifford Ngobeni 63’), Oupa Manyisa, Isaac Chansa (Mark Mayambela 46’), Tlou Segolela (Rudolf Bester 78’), Bongane Ndulula (Ndumiso Mabena 75’), Daine Klate (Sameehg Doutie 46’)
Tottenham: Brad Friedel, Kyle Naughton (Kyle Walker 46’), Younes Kaboul (Michael Dawson 46’), Bongani Khumalo, Danny Rose, David Bentley (Aaron Lennon 46’), Luka Modric (Niko Kranjcar 58’), Wilson Palacios (Vedran Corluka 46’), Gareth Bale (Jermaine Jenas 58’), Rafael van der Vaart (Robbie Keane 46’), Jermain Defoe (Roman Pavlyuchenko 46’)
Ryan Cooper
Previous comments on this story...
Thanks to the Spurs coach for affirming our true Mzansi style, Barcelona keeps the ball hence they are unpredictable. I was very happy with the way we controlled the game and entertained the fans.
1. The objective of game was achieved, looking at new players and trying to get the team to jell by keeping position.
2. Sangweni The Rock was born to play for Pirates, at long last some1 replaces OJ.
3. Doutie ayashisa amateki: what an offensive player, he turns and he runs with vision.
4. The 2 maska tears Oupa Mnike Manyise and Andile THE LION KING Jali, If Pitso cannot carry this combo to the national team, he will lose my respect. kodwa uManyisa is a jem and a player to watch this season.
5. Drogba Ndulula: i have n't seen such a box player in a long time, in SA football, u put a cross, he is there, u play wall passes he is there. his diagonal running is impressive. Our scoring problems are solved.
6. Segolela and Klate: WOW solid players and consistent runners.
7. Jele: What can i say, Umsindisi wami
8. Kloete: Istayela nemali
9. Mahamutsa: Ngubo+Juvet+amaSheet= akulalwa
10. Lucky: Ubani ikhehla, its time to rest, Sangweni has arrived
11. Senzo: Thula msindo mfana ka Meyiwa
12. Robben My Johanes: Mr cool, calm and collected.
13 Mark PROFESSOR Mayembela: umsaba ungamazi, ha wu mu bona wabaliya. Watsipa ke Mr TSIPA kamekwepo ledi Tsamaya.
Ndumiso Mabena lacks the drive needed at our club and must loaned to Celtics.
hope the coach has his starting 11, against the cabbage eating zebras, think the way we controlled the ball, if we can do that well on thursday, the way they like running with the ball and pass the line with it, they will have a tough time, we must force them to play our game n punish them!
Even their visionless supporters saw something that we couldn't see. And as for Spurs they underestimate SA football. Yesterday's football displayed by Spurs leaves much to be desired.
All i saw yesterday was Tlhagaraga ya bolo. Spurs kept on losing position while the Pierats stars were so confident in their game they took all the chances just to turn back to their half everytime they saw the Spurs 18yards.
And as for SABC An@lyst they are the new scape goats after Tiyani.
This is what the SABC An@lyst were supposed to say "What a great display by the reigning PSL Champions. They would have beaten Spurs if they wanted. The Champs don't win useless cups."
ALL TREBLE CHAMPIONS ALL PIRATES ALL IN...adidas!