Santos go down on penalties



21 March 2010

Santos exited the Telkom Knockout Cup at Newlands on Sunday afternoon after losing 4-2 to Kaizer Chiefs on penalties after the match had ended 0-0 after 120 minutes.

Santos, fielding several changes to their usual starting line-up, started the game positively, although it was Chiefs who had the first chance when Jimmy Tau cut into the box and fired in a shot which was however covered by Lee Langeveldt.

Santos had opportunities through Jurie Basie, a volley from a tight angle and a header which bounced over the bar, but AmaKhosi, with George Lebese a threat out on the lft wing, began to grow stronger as the half went on.

After a couple of promising moves had fizzled out, midway through the opening half Chiefs were almost on the score-sheet when Knowledge Musona’s header hit the cross-bar.

There were shots fired over the bar Thabang Rooi and Mandla Masango as AmaKhosi retained the initiative for the balance of the first half, but Langeveldt did not find his goal under any serious threat.

The game remained tight after the restart, with little to chose between the two sides and goal-scoring chances few and far between,

Erwin Isaacs however began to pose more of a threat for the home side, who also had a 60 th minute chance when Ricardo Skippers headed over the bar.

With the game moving into the final 10 minutes, Musona did not endear himself to the large Chiefs contingent in the crowd as he missed two wonderful chances, firstly failing to connect right in front of goal and then volleying wide.

Both teams had good chances in the first period of extra time as Spelman’s excellent strike was tipped over by Bartman.

AmaKhosi though had more than there fair share of chances in the latter stages of extra time, but time and time again their final shot or ball into the box left a lot to be desired.

The match went into penalties, and with two Santos players – Spelman and Ricardo Skippers, letting their nerves get the better of them as they fired into the stands, Abia Nale was able to step up and seal a 4-3 penalty win for AmaKhosi.

TEAMS

Santos: Langveldt, Ntloana, W Arendse, Otieno, Skippers; Basie (Rodgers 66’), S Arendse (Gabonamong 100’), T Arendse, King (Tsabedze 80’), Isaacs, Spelman

Chiefs: Bartman; Tau, Isaacs, Rooi, Masenemela, Dladla, Yende, Masango (Nhleko 61’), Nale; Lebese (Sibeko 107’), Musona (Torrealba 104’)