Cape Town City defender Taariq Fielies revealed his side were shocked to see the Mamelodi Sundowns squad Pitso Mosimane fielded in their MTN8 semi-final first-leg clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The 26-year-old defender scored the only goal of the game as the Citizens ran out 1-0 winners over Sundowns in the first leg, with both sides having it all to play for in the second leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 2 September.
READ: Fielies hands CT City advantage over Sundowns
The Brazilians fielded somewhat of a second-string team after Mosimane made nine changes from the side that played to a goalless draw with Highlands Park on Wednesday, but Fielies admits his side didn’t expect to come up against a changed Sundowns outfit.
‘I think it was a very good game. Good effort from the boys but we can’t get ahead of ourselves as we have one foot in the final,’ Fielies told SuperSport TV after the game.
‘I’m very happy with the result. I think Sundowns shocked us with the squad that they had. We didn’t plan for such a squad.
‘At the end of the day, we are professionals and we have to adapt. I’m looking forward to the second leg; we have a goal to defend there. I’m happy with the effort.’
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With their advantage heading into the second leg, Fielies is hopeful that the Citizens can advance to the final this campaign after narrowly missing out on lifting the cup last season when they lost on penalties to SuperSport United.
‘We were all pushing for the goal. We all knew what we wanted. This is our home ground, we have to dictate here. We can’t allow teams to come here, score goals and win matches. We know what is at stake. We want to go all the way this time around. Hopefully, we can go to the final yet again.
‘I think the second leg is going to be difficult. Sundowns will be home and it’s very difficult there in their home ground. Their support is unbelievable there. I’m looking forward to the encounter and I’m very positive about what we can do there,’ he concluded.
