Posted in News on Jul 22, 2006.
Chiefs win 4-3 on penalties
Vodacom Loftus Stadium, Pretoria
Vodacom Challenge: Match 4
Kick Off: 15:15
Temperature: 18°c, Dew Point 2.4°c, Humidity 35%, Wind: Calm
Loftus Stadium in Tshwane once again proves to provide a happy ending for Chiefs against a European team as they record only their second victory over European opposition in fourteen years and their first over an English Team. As the Amakhosi defeat Manchester United on penalties in front of a near capcity crowd to carry home their fourth Vodacom Challenge title.
0-5 min: The seventh Vodacom Challenge kicks off in front of a near capacity crow at Vodacom Loftus Stadium in Pretoria, the game begins at a frantic pace with both teams creating goal scoring opportunities in the opening exchanges. Ditheko Mototo is gifted with a good opportunity to open the scoring, but his shot from the left beats United keeper Steele but the ball sails over the cross bar. Chiefs have another chance early on Kaizer Motaung Junior’s shot screams wide of Steele. Manchester United’s first chance of the game comes when Ryan Giggs lays on a ball to Kieran Richardson but the latter cannot control his effort and shoots well wide of Fernandez.
5-10min: United begin to take the game to Chiefs and Fletcher along with Ryan Giggs create a few problems for the Chiefs' defense with a number of short passes, which culminates in Phil Bardsley shooting straight at Fernandez. The usually rock-solid defense is being stretched by United’s quick passing and they are unable to deal with a ball that falls to Dong, the Chinese international does not make Fernandez work and the Chiefs net-minder easily collects the ball.
10-15min: After being having a torrid start to the match The Amakhosi begin to claw their way back into the game, Gert Schalkwyk dispossess Paul Scholes and launches an attack for Chiefs. Shaun Bartlett is unable to reach Schalkwyk’s accurate through ball, he gets another chance as he finds himself through on goal and again the end product from Bartlett is not a good one and Steele can easily collect the ball.
15-20 min: First corner of the game comes Chiefs way, it is United who continue to keep a stranglehold on proceedings, Patrick Mayo and David Obua play keep up on the half way line and Mayo is dispossessed as United counterattack quickly nothing comes off the counter.
20-25 min: United’s key man in the first half Kieran Richardson and Patrice Evra link up well once again on the left of midfield to launch another United attack. Evra’s cross into the middle is aimed at Dong, Patrick Mayo acts quicker and snuffs out the attack.
25-30 min: The visitors press forward again and are almost rewarded when Patrick Mayo misjudges a cross from Fletcher which sails over is head, Dong collects the lose ball and although his snap shot beats Fernandez it goes narrowly wide. A few minutes later and in a similar move Fletcher sends in a long ball which Mayo misjudges again, this time Fernandez is off the line to make a good save at the feet of Dong.
30-35 min: After some good work from Patrice Evra, Kieran Richardson once again finds himself in a good position, again the diminutive midfielder can not control his shot as he shoots high and wide.
35-40 min: Man United are gifted with a goal scoring chance after Rowen Fernandez comes out and fails to collect the ball, the visitors are unable to take advantage of the situation. Chiefs then launch a rare foray up front as Kaizer Junior chases after a long ball but is beaten in the race for the ball by Steele in the United goal.
40-45 min: The final chance of the half goes Manchester United’s way as Giuseppe Rossi is played in on goal, he attempts to lob Rowen Fernandez instead of hitting the back of the net the ball goes wide of the target.
45-50 min: Chiefs start the second half a different team and begin to create space up front, the introduction of Thabo Mooki in the centre of midfield seems to be working. As he opens up space for himself inside the first couple of minutes of the second, his second shot from distance screams wide and Steele’s goal mouth stands intact.
50-55 min: Where as the Chiefs midfield were for the most part by-standers in the first half they came to the party in a strong way in the second half, Schalkwyk rises highest to flick on a cross from the left. Arthur Zwane loses concentration and is too late to pick up the loose ball.
55-65 min: The Amakhosi continue to stamp their dominance on the game and probably conjure up their best opportunity of the game, when Arthur Zwane sends in a cross from the right and Shaun Bartlett lunges himself at the ball. Steele in the United goal saves well from an acrobatic Shaun Bartlett header.
65-90 min: Although played at a frantic pace the last twenty five minutes of the game does not see much goal mouth action, though both teams set up attack and counter attack no one is able to break through the strong defenses either side possess. Kieran Richardson probably has the best chance of scoring as the game nears its end, after connecting with a long ball he shoots his shot straight at Fernandez. The game ends scoreless and heads for the penalty shoot out.
Penalty Shoot out: United kick off the shoot out with a miss by their second half substitute goalkeeper Foster who strikes the up right. Fabian McCarthy then misses for Chiefs before Rowen Fernandez saves from Chris Eagles to hand The Amakhosi their fourth Vodacom Challenge Crown in seven years.
Line Up’s:
Kaizer Chiefs
1.R. Fernandez, 6. F. McCarthy, 21. P. Mayo, 13. D. Obua (8. Nengomasha 46 min), 4. C. Nzama,
28. D. Spencer, 33. D. Mototo (12. Mooki 46 min), 10. S. Nkosi (18. Zwane 46 min),
25. G. Schalkwyk, 29. S. Bartlett, 7. K. Motaung Junior
Substitutes: 30. R. Wuest, 2. J. Tau, 44. S. Mkhonza, 8. T. Nengomasha, 12. T. Mooki, 24. D. Mathebula, 18. A. Zwane, 11. E. Ngobese, 9. S. Djiehoua, 31. D. Radebe, 20. L. Agyemang, 27. G. Sibeko
Manchester United:
13. L. Steele (1.Foster 75 min), 2. P. Bardsley, 6. W. Brown, 19. J. Evans, 3. P .Evra,
7. D. Fletcher (17. Miller 75 min), 18. P. Scholes, 11. R. Giggs, 8. K. Richardson,
9. G. Rossi (15. Jones 58 min), 14. F. Dong (12. Eagles 75 min)
Substitutes: 1. B. Foster, 4. D. Simpson, 5. J. O’ Shea, 10. D. Gibson, 12. C. Eagles, 15. D. Jones,
17. L. Miller, 20. O.G. Solksjaer
Cautions: Kaizer Chiefs: Cyril Nzama 59 min (Yellow Card)
Referee: Eddie Maillet (Seychelles)
Assistant 1: Reginald Motlaung
Assistant 2: Happy Radebe
Fourth Official: Siphiwe Jibiliza
