'New' Miscellaneous Hold Galaxy To A Stalemate
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday September 17, 2018 11:32
Galaxy had a brisk start to the season, banging 10 goals in their opening two games, that they scored five each against Security Systems and Prisons respectively. Defending champions, Township Rollers held them to a 0-0 in the last fixture.
Their coach Jorge Miguel Da Costa was left ruing missed opportunities and said they only had themselves to blame against Miscellaneous.
“Sometimes football is not fair. We created three clear chances in the opening half and two in the second half and we failed to put the ball in the net. We can only blame ourselves,” he said.
Galaxy had the control of the game from the onset. They dictated the play and enjoyed a huge chunk of possession as Miscellaneous sat back and tried long balls to the isolated Takunda Sadiki.
Galaxy’s first opportunity fell to Resaobaka Thatanyane on the 16th minute. When Olebogeng Malebye set him up in front of the box, Thatanyane dribbled past the defender and his poked shot kissed the outer side of the upright.
Four minutes later, Thero Setsile drilled a volley into the gloves of the goalkeeper when a miscued clearance from a corner kick fell delicately at his feet in the penalty area. The hosts’ first chance came on the 22nd minute when Atang Morwamang found himself at the end of a Bokani Leeto’s long cross, but the former failed to redirect his header into the net.
Galaxy controlled matters, but were denied by a resolute bus that was parked in the Miscellaneous box.
From the dugout, Miscellaneous returned with a totally different approach and they took the game to their opponents. They created two chances in the opening 10 minutes but finishing let them down.
Bhekusiye Kunene was left scratching his head on the hour mark after he headed over the bar from the 16-yard when Chicco Molefhe had posted a pinpoint corner kick.
An 80th minute deflection from Setsile’s shot nearly threw spanners in Miscellaneous works, but the goalkeeper did enough to fingertip over the bar for a corner kick.
Miscellaneous pressing game killed the rhythm of the visitors who were found wanting and with limited chances in the second half. The unmarked Patrick Kaunda who headed a Tshepo Borake cross over the bar wrapped up their woes.
Da Costa said they would improve their finishing. He said they harbour an ambition of being champions and they will fight like champions in the next fixture.
Miscellaneous coach, Otsile Koolese said the plan was to guard their goals in the first half and study their opponents. “We are a completely new side. We want to know our opponents before we could attack and we executed the plan very well. They are a strong side and this draw will help our confidence,” he said
The teams:
Miscellaneous: Tshepho Mooketsi, Thabo Mosielele, Kgakgamatso Ramatshosa, Leeto, Molefe, Mponang Mponang, Mooketsi Gareonne, Chakova Moyenga, Kunene (Pako Osupile), Morwamang (Kaelo Kgano), Sadiki
Galaxy: Ezekiel Morake, Isaak Paeye, Setsile, Thato Kebue (Borake), Kagiso Molapi, Lebogang Ditsele, Thatanyane (Tebogo Sembowa), Olebogeng Malebye, Kaunda, Gilbert Baruti, Atisang Batsi (Senatla Molefhe)