Punte | Sport | Netwerk24

0'

Orlando Pirates: 34 S. Chaine, 27 T. Xoki 29 P. Mako, 5 N. Sibisi, 16 T. Monare 26 B. Shandu, 7 D. Hotto, 14 M. Saleng 15 N. Ndlondlo, 18 K. Dlamini, 37 T. Dzvukamanja. Replacements: 40 S. Mpontshane, 6 B. Motshwari, 50 N. Mabena, 95 K. Erasmus, 33 B. Eva Nga, 30 C. Martin, 20 G. Mosele, 23 I. Maela, 45 M. Pule

0'

Marumo Gallants: 16 I. Watenga, 18 L. Nonyane, 45 O. Touré, 30 S. Kumalo, 24 M. Mvelase, 32 M. Makudubela, 5 L. Mabotja, 17 L. Mohomi, 11 K. Otladisa, 10 C. Ngema, 8 R. Chivaviro. Replacmnts: 36 W. Arubi, 34 B. Pheko, 23 S. Mdlinzo, 6 C. Soumaro, 33 J. Moseamedi, 15 M. Mphambaniso, 28 M. Nkomo, 7 L. Nku, 12 T. Khiba

0'

After losing three matches in a row (including a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns), Pirates have found form, winning two home matches on the bounce. Their last match was a 4-1 home win over Stellenbosch.

0'

Gallants have lost three and drawn two of their last five matches. Their last match was a 3-2 loss away to Golden Arrows.

0'

Last season the Gallants earned a 0-0 home draw against Pirates but lost the return fixture 2-1. Earlier this season Pirates beat Gallants 1-0 at home.

0'

When the two sides met in the Cup last season they drew 1-1, with Gallants making it through on penalties. The Gallants went on to the final, where Sundowns took the honours in extra time.

0'

The two sides have met just six times, with Pirates winning three of their matches while the Gallants have won just once.

0'

Tonight's hosts are up against it, as Pirates are sitting in fourth place on the table with 25 points from their 17 matches. As for the hosts, they are in 16th place, last in the log, with just 15 points from their 19 matches.

0'

Good evening, and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier Soccer League clash between Marumo Gallants and Orlando Pirates from the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in the North West.

1'

Kick-off! We're underway here with the first half of Marumo Gallants against mighty Orlando Pirates!

2'

Pirates working the ball up from the back with great confidence... and then they push forward fast and Hotto almost breaks clear into the Gallants box. Great speed from the visitors and that might make the hosts little bit nervous about the next 88 minutes!

3'

Pirates with all the possession still and looking full of confidence.

4'

Good ball forward to Saleng on the right wing, but the Galants defence is strong and the striker feeds the ball back to his midfield.

6'

The ball is worked back up to Saleng again, and this time he turns sharply and whips in a low cross, but it's collected comfortably by Watenga between the Gallants sticks.

7'

Long ball forward now down the left wing for Pirates, but Gallants gain possession and themselves look to work the ball up from the back.

8'

Nice work from Gallants holding onto possession… until Ndlondlu commits the foul to break up play.

9'

Gallants lose possession from their free-kick and Pirates try to push forward… but great play from Gallants to win back possession, excellent play.

11'

Gallants still with possession, working the ball nicely around the midfield… but they lose the ball and concede a free-kick in frustration. Now Pirates look to work the ball up from the back.

12'

Gallants win back possession and push to the edge of the Pirates box, where they lose possession. So far team propping up the log has looked good value when they've had ball-time. Pirates are looking pretty smooth and confident though. As it stands, though, who knows which way this match might flow.

14'

Gallants against pressing around the Pirates box, a poor ball into the box is dealt with by Pirates but Gallants get the ball again, push down to the byline where a good cross is sent over but it's flagged as a goal-kick.

16'

Loose passing from Pirates gifts Gallants a throw-in.

16'

Gallants with a foul as Pirates press up towards the halfway line.

17'

YELLOW CARD, MARUMO GALLANTS, OTLADISA. Otladisa is carded for jumping up against a Pirates player as he cleared the ball. He looks to be arguing that it was an action of self-defence, which you wouldn't struggle to find lawyers willing to defend that cry, but to be fair to the ref there was solid contact that could have been dangerous, so a yellow card appeal would quite likely be overturned.

19'

Long ball forward by Gallants, but it's headed by to Chaine by the Pirates defence.

20'

Pirates push forward quickly on the left, a fast cross is sent over but it's blocked at close range by the Gallants, Pirates to try their luck from the corner…

21'

… but nothing doing, as Pirates head it out without endangering the Gallants goal.

22'

Pirates push forward, the ball bounces just right for Ndlondlo who releases the trigger, but the shot fizzes wide of the posts.

24'

Both sides struggling in the midfield looking to create a chance but at the moment they are stuck like to arm-wrestlers eyeing each other out but with no signs of significant movement.

26'

Pirates push forward well and Saleng is just clipped by Mabotja in front of goals and about 10 metres out… surely Pirates with try to bend it like Beckham from here?

27'

CLOSE! Dlamini chips over the wall to the far post, the keeper was there to cover and the ball passe three feet wide of the post… so close but not close. In real-time it was more exciting than the slo-mo!

29'

Pirates with a very long ball over the top, but there's more speculation in that kick that in the latest bitcoin release, and Gallants clear the danger…

30'

… but not for long as Pirates get the ball back and push up again… Mako running into space in the box to collect a beautiful chip but he can't get his feet too work in time with the bounce of the ball and it's out for a goal-kick.

31'

Play zoots up to the other side of the pitch and Gallants have a corner coming over from the left wing…

32'

Chaine is up well and punches it clear amid strong opposition from a Gallants striker… ball is with Pirates and they are again working up up slowly from the back.

33'

Gallants take back possession and push into the Pirates half, the push up to the box and fire a shot on goal that Chaine palms down easily but the flag is up for off-side.

35'

Pirates attack and win a corner, it's beautifully delivered close tot he six-yard box but Gallants manage to clear the danger.

36'

GOAL, PIRATES, SALENG! 0-1; Superb lpay down the left wing from Dzvukamanja, who crosses in low and hard into the middle of the box where Saleng taps it home amid some pressure from the home side's defence. Fabulous play from Pirates.

38'

Pirates again stream forward but Gallants hold them up and win a free-kick.

39'

Long-range shot from Dlamini but it's way wide of the Gallants goals.

39'

Shot from Gallants from outside the box but it's collected without much difficulty by Chaine. Pirates now stream forward again, so much pressure on the Gallants defence

40'

Tough break for Gallants who have fought so well during this first half, and now Pirates look to be in full swagger so this could be tough for the home side to fight back in this match.

41'

Chivaviro into the Pirates box but two defenders shepherd him back towards the corner flag but the ball sneaks out and it's a goal-kick.

42'

Gallants break down a Pirates attack and win the ball, but Dzvukamanja is hit hard in a sliding challenge from Nonyane who is lucky not to see red, but the referee does dig into his top pocket…

43'

YELLOW CARD, MARUMO GALLANTS, NONYANE.

44'

Pirates fail to benefit from the free-kick and Gallants launch a counter-attack, but it's all gums and no teeth and Pirates swarm back at Gallants, only to be pushed back to the middle of the park.

45'

HALF-TIME, MARUMO GALLANTS 0-1 ORLANDO PIRATES. Lovely half of football with some great attacking and defending by both sides. Pirates do have that extra bucket of class to call upon, not that it made much difference for most of the match, although when it counted they pulled the trigger to knock the opening goal home. Gallants have really looked good value, but to be fair the Pirates flag seems to be raised high and flapping in the wind, and the rest of this match might be damage limitation for Gallants… mind you, with nothing to lose they could also give Pirates some serious headaches .We'll find out soon!

45'

Pirates with a late flurry around the Gallants box, but they can't get a proper strike on target, and they ref signals that it's half-time.

46'

SUBSTITUTIONS, MARUMO GALLANTS. Ngema is replaced by Mphambaniso, while Mdlinzo comes on for Otladisa. Both substitutions were made at the start of the second half.

46'

Kick-off! We're underway here with the second half of Marumo Gallants and the mighty, the legendary Orlando Pirates.

47'

Gallants press forward but Pirates steal and the ball and counter incredibly fats, the ball is inn the Gallants box, crossed in from short range, deflects off a Pirates player… but rolls easily through to Watenga.

48'

Gallants press forward to the Pirates box and a snapshot curls straight into the arms of Chaine.

49'

Pirates now press into the Gallants box, win a corner and it's cleared back upfield. Both teams have slid into fifth gear at speed. Quite incredible.

51'

Pirates with a free-kick on the left wing… a good ball into the box, a moment of panic for Gallants but they manage to clear the danger.

52'

Gallans now into the Pirates box, Mphambaniso twisting and turning and letting loose with a shot on goal that is deflected for a corner. Gallants keep the pressure up, but are flagged offside.

53'

Hotto breaks into the box and is beautifully tackled… Saleng almost immediately is back in the box attacking but again Gallants clear the danger and counter. Fans watching g at the stadium tonight might be in danger of whiplash, such is the pace of this match from one end to the other.

55'

Gallants in to the box, a superb cross is just too high for one attacker and just ahead of another. Great attacking move though.

56'

YELLOW CARD, MARUMO GALLANTS, CHIVAVIRO. The striker slides in late and hard to a tackle and he is also lucky not to have seen red.

56'

Another attack from Pirates and again Gallants hold their line in the box.

58'

Lovely ball into the box from the Gallants, they challenge well for the ball but the linesman has flagged for offsides. Not everyone in the stadium is convinced about that… but then it is packed with Gallants fans, so there is that.

61'

Gallants stream forward but they can't break through the Pirates defensive line. so frustrating for the home side, but they're giving it their best shot.

62'

SUBSTITUTION, MARUMO GALLANTS. Kumalo is replaced by Soumaro.

63'

WOW! Chivaviro steals the ball from Dlamini just outside the box, the Gallants strikers presses into the box, challenges hard but can't keep control of the ball. Great attacking move from the home side .

65'

PENALTY! Makudubela needlessly pushes Shandu inside the box… the referee takes a moment and points to the spot. Penalty!

67'

GOAL, ORLANDO PIRATES, NDLONDLO! 0-2; Ndlondlo fires it into the right corner, Watenga went the right way and got a finger to the shot, but there was just too much power behind the Pirates penalty-taker's punch. Superbly taken penalty… but Ndlondlo shows respect to his former team-mates and fans by not celebrating the goal, although he did acknowledge the travelling Pirates fans.

70'

Pirates rush the Gallants box but Watenga is off his line quickly and out the box to clear the danger. Brave play.

71'

SUBSTITUTION, ORLANDO PIRATES. Dlamini is replaced by Mosele, while Shandu makes way for Martin.

73'

Pirates, full of confidence, passing the ball around from the back.

74'

Pirates still with possession, but they are being chased hard at every touch by the Gallants players

75'

Pirates push forward into the box, Toure doing well to break down the attack, but Pirates win the corner. Watenga rises high to claim the ball fro the corner.

76'

Gallants with the break now, a shot rings out from outside the box but it can't pierce the Pirates defensive line.

77'

Pirates press forward and win a free-kick close to the box.

78'

SUBSTITUTION, ORLANDO PIRATES. Dzvukamanja is replaced by Pule.

79'

Pirates with massive pressure from the corner, but Gallants repel the attack and clear the danger from the subsequent corner.

80'

Gallants into the box with some excellent pressure but Pirates clear the danger. It looks like it's just not gong to fall right for the hosts tonight.

80'

Gallants into the box with some excellent pressure but Pirates clear the danger. It looks like it's just not gong to fall right for the hosts tonight.

82'

Pirates press back up but Gallants chase them back into their own half.

83'

YELLOW CARD, ORLANDO PIRATES, HOTTO. The Pirates man is carded for a somewhat wild lunge.

84'

Gallants press hard from the corner but Pirates clear the danger.

85'

SUBSTITUTION, ORLANDO PIRATES. Saleng is replaced by Eva Nga, while Ndlondlo is replaced by Motshwari.

86'

SUBSTITUTION, MORUMA GALLANTS. Mvelase makes way for Khiba.

88'

Pirates with possession now, with Gallants chasing them down for all they are worth.

89'

Superb play from Pirates to push into the Gallants box, some gorgeous passing in the box leads to a curling shot but it's not strong enough to beat the Gallants keeper.

90'

FULL-TIME, MARUMA GALLANTS 0-2 ORLANDO PIRATES. Great match for Pirates who delivered some excellent attacking play and in particular who finished their two best opportunities so well. A galant performance from the home side who fought and battled all the way but who just couldn't break through the strong Pirates side. A great evening of football, thank you for sharing the action with us, and enjoy the rest of your sporting weekend.

90'

We're into extra time now… four minutes to come…