Staff Reporter.
TS Galaxy has defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in a penalty shootout after it ended 2-2 after 120 minutes at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday night.
Sundowns had early control of possession, and the first real chance came in the sixth minute, but Rivaldo Coetzee’s glancing header from captain-on-the-day Marcelo Allende’s free-kick went wide of Fiacre Ntwari’s goal.
But it was Galaxy who struck first, very much against the run of play. The goal gave Galaxy a boost of confidence and after another Kamogelo Sebelebele-led attack, it was 2-0 in the 16th minute.
Tackles were flying in, and both teams were perhaps lucky to go into the halftime break with all their numbers intact. It remained 2-0 to Galaxy.
A fantastic strike from Marcelo Allende in the 57th minute made it 2-1, the Chilean firing a powerful low shot from outside the box into the left corner.
But a minute later more drama ensued, as Bongani Zungu was shown a straight red card for a horror tackle on Bernard Parker. While Zungu remonstrated, there could be no arguments, as it looked potentially career-ending.
Time was running out for Sundowns, but Gaston Sirino’s strike to make it 2-2 was the final kick of regulation time, and extra time was needed.
Galaxy had a chance in the final minute of extra time when they were awarded a dangerous free kick just outside the box, and Mpho Mvelase was inches away from being the hero as his header struck the crossbar and went over.
And so a penalty shootout, Sundowns’ second in as many matches, was needed to decide the winner.
It went to sudden death, Samir Nurkovic scored his, but Ntwari saved Lesiba Nku’s and Sundowns lost a second shootout in a row.
Galaxy booked their place in the last eight of Carling Knockout Cup, but end of the road for Sundowns, who were technically the defending champions,
Meanwhile the owner of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Royal AM, found herself in trouble after she dodged tax in excess of millions of rands.
Fullview understands the stand-off led to SARS obtaining a civil judgment and writ of execution against the businesswoman, allowing the sheriff of court to attach movable assets belonging to the club owner, which are believed to be worth several millions of rands.