Bradley Grobler stepped up in the absence of James Keene as SuperSport United played to a 2-2 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 semi-final first leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
READ: Chiefs, SuperSport draw in MTN8 thriller
1. Grobler finally finds his scoring boots
The 30-year-old was in fine form for Matsatsantsa on Sunday after getting on the scoresheet following a lengthy injury that kept him sidelined for the second half of last season and the start of the 2018-19 campaign.
Grobler bagged a brace in the game with the first one coming in the 24th minute when he managed to beat Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune with a well-taken volley from inside the box after he received a delightful pass from Fagrie Lakay.
His second came seven minutes before the half-time break after finding the top corner with his strike when he was given space in the centre of the box.
The talisman received the Man of the Match accolade for his efforts and had this to say: ‘The other thing that has frustrated me is watching the team struggle, knowing I could have been helpful.
‘Today, I scored and when you get that goal, hopefully the floodgates start coming. It was good to get the goals, especially after the long injury lay-off.’
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2. Sloppy defending by SuperSport
The home side pressured Amakhosi in the opening stages of the game but lost the plot along the way after some poor defending and a lack of concentration allowed Dumisani Zuma to play an inviting ball into the path of Khama Billiat, who slotted the ball into the net for the opening goal.
However, SuperSport were made to pay again in the second half after sloppy defending at the start of the second half cost Tembo’s team the win as Leonardo Castro equalised after linking up with Billiat.
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3. Billiat Chiefs’ shining light
The Zimbabwean international proved pivotal for Chiefs, despite the draw. He was a constant threat to the SuperSport defence. When on the ball, he ignited the Amakhosi attack. He might have only scored two goals in Chiefs colours since his arrival during pre-season, but Billiat used his pace and skill to create problems, which ultimately led to the opening goal before linking up with teammate Leonardo Castro for the second.
Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas was also full of praise for Billiat, who he feels is the best player in South Africa at the moment.
‘Khama is the best player in the PSL, in my opinion.
‘I like Khama, I like Castro. We have two very good strikers. I am very happy that Khama scored today, the goal made him more confident.’
Is he the answer to Amakhosi’s goal-scoring woes? Or can he rediscover his partnership with Castro to lead Chiefs to silverware this season?
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4. A game of two halves
The Glamour Boys had two fairly different halves on the field. In the first half, Solinas believed that his side were not ‘brave’ enough and lacked confidence going forward.
‘In the first half, we lost our shape. We lost our space. SuperSport exploited this space. The defence was very soft. In the second half, the team changed their mentality. They played very well,’ Solinas said.
However, Chiefs looked a refreshed side in the second half and played the ‘Chiefs way’ by holding on to possession of the ball and were not making silly mistakes in defence while creating numerous chances in the final third and were rewarded with an equaliser early in the second half following a lack of concentration by SuperSport.
‘In the second half, SuperSport changed their formation. They changed the shape. They played 4-4-2 and they put a second striker in the centre, so in this situation, we needed more cover in the centre. I spoke with my midfielder and said we need to protect our central defender. They did a very good job,’ he added.
5. Chiefs take advantage to second leg
Amakhosi scored two away goals, which could prove crucial in the second leg. They remain desperate for a place in the final as they continue to search for their first trophy in three seasons and the first for new coach Solinas.
Hopefully, the teams can reproduce this performance, which produced four goals, as United will be looking to book a place in the final against the winner of Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City to keep their hopes of defending their crown alive.
