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Nine-man TS Galaxy bag tense victory over Chippa

cricket20 October 2024 16:25| © Backpage TXT
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A nine-man TS Galaxy marched into the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout Cup this weekend, following an eventful 1-0 win against Chippa United at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Following a positive start to the game, TS Galaxy held the majority of the ball in the first 10 minutes while Chippa sat deep in defending their quarters. In settling early, Galaxy stroked the ball around with ease but fell short in the final third on a couple of occasions.

Neither side created any clear-cut scoring chances after 20 minutes on the clock while Galaxy continued to progress on the ball. Patience was the name of the game for both teams at the Mbombela Stadium, especially when building up in the defensive part of the pitch.

While being starved of the ball for much of the first half, Chippa often took the direct route in the hope of affecting the scoreline. However, Galaxy sat tight and proceeded to play with caution after resetting.

With Galaxy and Chippa unable to break the deadlock, the score remained goalless at the break.

It was more of the same for Galaxy after the restart and they immediately settled on the ball during the opening minutes of the new half. Chippa on the other hand, looked lively in counter-attacking situations, namely through the likes of Craig Martin and Bienvenu Eva Nga.

The Gqeberha outfit were seeing more of the ball en route to the 70th-minute mark and caused a couple of nervy moments to the Galaxy backline on a couple of occasions. However, it was Sead Ramovic’s side that created more notable scoring opportunities.

Despite a period of end-to-end football toward the 90th-minute mark, Galaxy and Chippa were blunt when it mattered the most as the game was forced into extra time.

The Rockets broke the deadlock 13 minutes into extra-time following a well-worked passing move into the Chippa half. After picking up the ball on the right-hand flank, Sepana Letsoalo found the Bosnian with a well-weighted low cross on the edge of the area before he subsequently slotted the ball home with ease.

Galaxy ended the tie with nine men after Zajmovic and Victor Letsoalo received their marching orders late on. Nevertheless, the Rockets saw out the game unscathed with a 1-0 win at the Mbombela Stadium.

TS Galaxy: (0) 1 (Zajmovic 103’)

Chippa United: (0) 0

TS Galaxy: Ira, Sebelebele, Mahlangu, Ndamane, Kabini, Mvalase (Mbunjana 81’), Khiba (Seema 120’), Dithejane (Letsoalo 81’), Sibanyoni (Radebe 102’), Mhlangu (Zajmovic 46’), Sibande (Mbatha 46’)

Chippa United: Nwabili, Makhele, Chabalala, Malaoa, Michael, Mqokozo (Martin 46’), Baloni ( Modise 94’ ), Majogoro (Jali 83’), Matrose (Kwayiba 46’), Magqwaka (Teto 46’), Eva Nga (Kambindu 72’)

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