Castle
Lager’s SuperStars pulled off a valiant display in their debut match against
Vasco da Gama in which they fended off the Parow Park boys until the final 20
minutes of the game.
It
was the first time Neil Tovey’s team took to the field of play since their
formation, and after three days of being together they did well to keep the
National First Division club from scoring until late on.
Vasco
put the SuperStars under an early bout of pressure with their pacey attacking
display which saw them penetrate the newly formed defence.
Irfaan
Mohamed was in goals for the first half and he did well to rush off his line
early on and punch away a threatening Vasco cross.
Vasco’s
experience saw them peg the debutants back for large portions of the game and
Qolani Khoza did well to hold his own in the right-back position, seeing him
pull off some impressive tackles while keeping the Cape side at bay.
A
rare attack did force Andre Petim to curl the ball around the post, while at
the start of second half Lomwabo Matomela was kept busy in the SuperStars’
goal.
Despite
his impressive efforts in pulling off numerous great saves to keep Vasco at bay,
Matomela couldn’t keep out a shot which ricocheted off the crossbar and into
the back of the net midway through the second 45, 1-0. That goal was followed
by a second soon after, off a Damien Mitchell free-kick, to wrap the fixture up
2-0.
When
the final whistle blew, though, SuperStars could feel proud of themselves and
held their heads high, leaving their coach happy with the what he saw.
“I
didn’t know what to expect after only three days of training. I think after
three days they kept the shape well - they listened to my instructions in
keeping the shape,” said Tovey after the game. “Now, they just have to get into
the pace and the quickness of that level and I think they did really well.”
“They
only conceded the first goal in the 70th odd minute and the second one was a
free-kick. I am pretty happy with the way they have organized themselves,”
added the former Bafana Bafana captain.
“The
defence did very well for me. They were well organized at times but, yes, I am
happy after three days work.
“We
still have got to get our sharpness with and without the ball. We have to
realize and identify when we have to get on the ball and utilize the pace
quicker.
“Both
our goalkeepers stuck out for me. Qolani Khoza at right full-back was
tremendous and he was a bit of a surprise. We still have to kick on,” concluded
the coach.
