Spurs avenge 2003 loss to Pirates
Brad Morgan
25 July 2007
Visiting English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur, avenging a 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates four years ago, defeated the South African glamour club by the same score in front of an enthusiastic, 40 000-strong crowd in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.
In an entertaining Vodacom Challenge encounter, both teams gave the goalkeepers plenty of work, but it was the Lilywhites who came out on top, despite the Buccaneers making the brighter start.
After dictating the early running, the South African side was rocked in the twelfth minute when Darren Bent, Spurs' recent £16.5-million from Charlton Athletic, put the visitors ahead.
Bent on target
Tom Huddlestone found Bent with a long pass, which was expertly controlled by the striker. He brought it down well and then, with excellent touch, lobbed Francis Chansa in the Pirates goal to open the scoring.
After that, possession turned in favour of Spurs, but it was the
South African side that had the next good chance of scoring. Lebohang Mokoena raced through the Tottenham defence before firing a shot that was parried by goalkeeper Radek Cerny. He had a second bite at the cherry, but his effort flew wide of the mark.
Younes Kaboul came close to giving Spurs a two-goal advantage, beating Chansa with a free-kick from almost 30 metres out, but being denied by the left-hand post.
In the second half, Bent nearly doubled his tally and Tottenham's score, but his toe-poke towards goal was cleared off the line.
Spurs score again
With only six minutes remaining, Spurs seemed to have sealed the deal when they netted their second goal.
Turning defence into attack, the English side cleared a Pirates' corner, moving the ball upfield until Steed Malbranque picked out Wayne Routledge with a cross which the winger steered into the Buccaneers' goal.
However, it wasn't all done and dusted as Pirates struck
back three minutes later.
French international Pascal Chimbonda, playing his first match of the pre-season, brought down Excellent Walaza and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The decision resulted in a somewhat bizarre spectacle.
Penalty parade
Fikru Tefera took the spot kick for Pirates, but goalkeeper Cerny stopped his effort. However, the Czech international had moved off of his line early, resulting in referee Tendaye Bwalya ordering the kick to be retaken.
The second time around Joseph Kamwendo attempted to beat Cerny, but he too was stopped. The linesman, though, indicated that Cerny had again moved off of his line early. Once more, the referee pointed to the spot.
Kamwendo, his confidence still intact, chose to take the kick and this time he beat Cerny to fire Pirates back into the match at 2-1 down.
However, with only three minutes remaining, the South African club was unable to pull off a shock draw,
leaving Spurs with a perfect record of two from two in the Vodacom Challenge.
The format guarantees the club a place in the final, but had it not, Tottenham would have booked their place in the title decider regardless.
Jol satisfied
At the press conference after the match, Spurs' manager Martin Jol declared himself satisfied with his team's performance, pointing out that only three players who started against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday began the game against Orlando Pirates.
Jol said: "Pirates were a lively team who played with a good rhythm and we gave away three chances when we shouldn't have done. We have to forgive the players though because it was a first game for a few of them.
Commenting on the club's new big money signing, Jol added: "Darren Bent took his goal really well from a very good pass from Tom Huddlestone. He attacked the space to score and that is what we expect from him.
Mutombo's
view
Pirates' coach Bibey Mutombo also declared himself satisfied with the game. He explained: "I'm very happy with the way my players applied themselves throughout the game. Like I said before, the aim of this game was not to win it, but to assess the squad and try out the new players."
Asked whether any of the Pirates players had impressed him, Jol said: "Yes I was impressed with two or three youngsters. However, I'll keep their names to myself for now. I must confess that there is exceptional young talent in this squad."
Pirates vs Chiefs
Pirates' loss to Spurs makes the outcome of their meeting with Chiefs in Port Elizabeth on Thursday vital.
The winner of the match will take on Spurs in Pretoria on Sunday in the final of the Vodacom Challenge.
The captain of Pirates, Lehlohonolo Seema, said his side's focus has shifted from Tuesday night's game to the showdown with the Buccaneers' archrivals,
Chiefs.
"The defeat is water under the bridge now," he said. "We must now shift our focus to the next game against Kaizer Chiefs.
"It won't be an easy game. As you know, it's a derby and they are never easy. But we want to beat Chiefs so that we can have a second shot at Tottenhm Hotspur in the final."
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