SUNDOWNS EDGE OUT TEAM OF CHOICE
3 November 2021
Maritzburg United were beaten 1-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership encounter at the Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The only goal of a tight game was scored by Peter Shalulile 10 minutes into the second half.
The first half saw Maritzburg working hard to close down the various threats offered by the star-studded home side, and the efforts paid off as Downs battled to create goal opportunities.
It had in fact been the Team of Choice who enjoyed the first chance of the match, in as early as the first minute, when Daylon Claasen put the ball into the box and Bongokuhle Hlongwane rose well but was unable to get his header on target.
It was only in the 37th minute when Sundowns had a clear chance on goal, but after Shalulile found space in the Maritzburg box, he fired his shot over the bar.
The defending league champions started the second half with a lot of purpose and were through on goal in the 53rd minute, but thanks to a brilliant save from Marcel Engelhardt on a Pavol Safranko shot, the scoreline remained unchanged.
However, a minute later and the Tshwane side were ahead when Neo Maema’s long ball picked out Shalulile, who finished with a superb volley on the run.
Soon after, United were almost back on level terms as substitute Lifa Hlongwane went close with curling shot from 20-yards out which flashed inches wide.
To their credit, Maritzburg didn’t let the setback get them down as they tried to find a way back in. But against a team which has not conceded a goal in 11 matches, chances were hard to come by.
At the other end, the Team of Choice also defenced resolutely, with Engelhardt making one particularly noteworthy save.
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