Sundowns seal Carling Knockout semi-final ticket

Mamelodi Sundowns sealed passage to the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout with a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows on Tuesday evening.

Teams: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Golden Arrows
Result: 1-0
Scorers: Rayners (68')

In the hunt for the semi-finals, Masandawana looked to continue their dominance over Arrows this season, having already met on three ocassions in the last two months.

Sundowns enjoyed a bright start and were very close to going in front in the opening ten minutes after Siyanda Ndlovu looked to get one over his former club with a stern shot from a clever run-up on the right, but he was denied by the woodwork.

Abafana Besthende remained under intense pressure inside the half-hour mark as Antonio Van Wyk gained advantage on the half-space and cut inside to look for a near post finish, but goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi palmed away for a corner-kick.

The African champions who despite having the bulk of the early momentum, were susceptible on the counter-attack and were nearly caught when Sabelo Sithole generated space out wide and cutback to curl inches wide of the mark.

Msibi was called to action though a minute to halftime as he had to shift across his goal-line to keep out a ferocious long-range strike from Mothibi Mvala, as the two sides went into the interval all sqaure.

Second Half:

Abafana Besthende came out in the second half with a lot of energy on and off the ball and early got their reward when Nhlanhla Zwane stepped up to the edge of the area to get a shot in following a cutback, but he was smothered by Ricardo Goss.

With the breakthrough proving difficult, the host went to the bench midway in the second half and introduced Marcelo Allende for Sphelele Mkhulise before Thabang Matuludi replaced Thapelo Morena as Arthur Sales made way for Cassius Mailula.

The move proved effective as the Brazilians got their noses in front five minutes later through a glancing header in the area by Iqraam Rayners following a cross-cum shot from the near side by Van Wyk.

Abafana Besthende chased an instant response, but the Tshwane giants kept a level head and instead threatened more goals through promising moves by Matuludi and Mailula though neither profitted.

The solitary goal was sufficient though for the African champions who booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout and got yet another victory over Arrows this season.

Confirmed line-ups:

Mamelodi Sundowns: Goss, Morena, Khoza, Mvala, Basadien, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Sales, Ndlovu, Van Wyk, Rayners.

Subs: Onyango, Ndamane, Matuludi, Modiba, Allende, Santos, Zwane, Mailula, Leon

Golden Arrows: Msibi, Jiyane, Msomi, Agnikoi, Sithole, Shezi, Maluleke, Maxwele, Dion, Gasa, Zwane

Subs: Mbanjwa, Mabaso, Barry, Nguse, Khumalo, Van Neel, Karelse, Cele, Moli

Related tags

Carling Knockout Golden Arrows Mamelodi Sundowns Match Report