AB BASSON
AmaTuks drew 0-0 with SuperSport United on Saturday 1 September in their third match of the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) season. Both teams performed well throughout the match.
Coming off their first win in the PSL, a 1-0 win against Golden Arrows, AmaTuks were keen to maintain their good start to the season by beating cross-city rivals SuperSport United. SuperSport went into the game having just secured a place in the MTN 8 final and were confident of victory against the newly promoted AmaTuks.
The first half was one of missed chances and the teams ended the half on level terms, with the only real threat coming from long-range shots.
The second half started off much like the first, with both teams throwing men forward in search of the opening goal.
AmaTuks moved to their more familiar “route one” style during the second half by sitting deep and opting to hit SuperSport on the break.
AmaTuks coach Steve Barker made several changes in the last 30 minutes, and it was the substitutes who created the first real scoring chance of the match in the 83rd minute: veteran forward David Radebe gathered the ball just inside the SuperSport half and ran down the left flank before putting in a well-timed cross towards Diyo Sibisi who met the ball powerfully with his head. But then, just as it seemed as if the ball was in the back of the net, ex-Bafana Bafana keeper Rowen Fernandez pulled off the save of the game, to the dismay of the home supporters. This was to be the last real chance of the game. SuperSport keeper Fernandez picked up the man of the match award for his brilliant display between the posts and for denying AmaTuks what would have been a certain victory.
AmaTuks face Moroko Swallows at the Dobsonville stadium on14 September at 20:00.
Photos: www.kickoff.com
