Playing like a bunch of languid, over-fed fat cats, the expensively assembled Sundowns team were given a runaround by Orlando Pirates in the top-of-the-log Premier Soccer League game at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.
That the industrious, inventive log leaders were held to a 1-1 draw was entirely due to the fact that Pirates turned timid and hesitant when approaching the Sundowns goal and squandered more than six gilt-edged scoring opportunities.
It was against the run of play that Sundowns opened the score in the 42nd minute from a rare breakaway after Jose Torrealba’s precise, calculated pass left Godfrey Sapula the opportunity to tap the ball into the net from 5m.
A victory for the team who must feel acutely embarrassed to be nicknamed after the famed Brazilians would have been nothing short of an injustice, and the scorching equaliser from Lelo Mbelo in the 60th minute provided a measure of justice and reality to the proceedings.
Ironically, the Pirates supporters in a disappointing crowd of no more than 25 000 — a capacity crowd of 60 000 had been expected — were baying for the Democratic Republic of Congo player to be substituted when the jeers directed at him were transformed into unrestrained cheers.
But Mbele was not alone in missing straight-forward scoring opportunities, with Lebohang Mokoena, Gift Leremi and Joseph Makhanya all wasting their mesmerising play in midfield with woefully weak finishing.
And it was in the midfield department that the Sundowns team who were once renowned for their enterprising play in this department were totally eclipsed.
Sundowns were further depleted by injuries to Torrealba and Sapula, which caused them to be replaced in the second half, with Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel foiling the Buccaneers with three breathtaking, point-blank saves.
The counterfeit Brazilians, however, can consider themselves greatly fortunate to remain hot on the heels of the Buccaneers, with a game in hand, a superior goal difference and only three points behind the log leaders.
The game began 30 minutes late as a result of crowd congestion at the turnstiles and generally chaotic control outside the stadium — this in spite of only 25 000 turning up and a much-publicised blueprint by Pirates officials to eradicate this chronic shortcoming in South African soccer.
And with the 2010 World Cup on a not-too-distant horizon, it must be disconcerting to imagine what might happen if this kind of haphazard organisation continues.
Stars, Dynamos match postponed
Rain interrupted the soccer match between Free State Stars and Dynamos at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Qwa Qwa on Saturday.
The league is to announce when the two teams will meet again.
Free State were leading 1-0 after striker Jimmy Zakazake beat Dynamos goalkeeper Arthur Baartman in the 14th minute of the first half.
Free State Stars have had only one win after 14 games. After being promoted, they have only recorded a victory over Black Leopards. — Sapa