The brand-new Carling Knockout opened with a thriller at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday evening, as Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy played out a 2-2 draw after extra time – before the Rockets emerged triumphant on penalties.
The Brazilians – despite being depleted by injury and national team absences, as well as playing half of the two-hour match with just 10 men – fought back from two goals down but were ultimately put out of the competition in the shootout, losing 5-4 after both Brian Onyango and Lesiba Nku saw their kicks saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
TS Galaxy ✅✅✅❌✅✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 18, 2023
Sundowns ❌✅✅✅✅❌
Lesiba Nku's penalty is saved by Fiacre Ntwari. The Rockets advance to the next round ⚽
The Brazilians are the fist side to bite the dust in the #CarlingKnockout pic.twitter.com/kT81769oTr
It’s a familiar feeling for the team from Tshwane, who were also beaten on penalties by Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final earlier this month.
Galaxy claimed the lead just 13 minutes into the match, with Sphiwe Mahlangu forcing the ball over the goal line from close range after a defensive mistake from Sundowns, which saw goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse and Bongani Zungu scramble over the same deflected cross.
And it was 2-0 in the 16th minute, as Higor Vidal’s corner kick picked out the unmarked Mlungisi Mbunjana, who steered home a header to put the Rockets in firm control of the tie.
What a start to the Carling Knockout 🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 18, 2023
It's half-time at the Mbombela Stadium and TS Galaxy lead Mamelodi Sundowns by two goals to nil ⚽
📱 Stream #CarlingKnockout live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/Ssp1bHyH4X
Sundowns soon found their attacking rhythm and almost pulled a goal back on the half hour mark when Neo Maema teed up Marclo Allende to shoot on goal, but the midfielder was denied by a sharp save from Ntwari.
That was the last genuine attacking highlight of the first half, with the game becoming scrappy and disrupted by fouls up the interval.
SIRINO SENDS GAME INTO EXTRA-TIME
Sundowns started the second half strongly and threatened a goal on 52 minutes when Junior Mendieta ran onto a ball over the top of the defence and struck a fierce shot on target from a tight angle, forcing another fine stop from Ntwari.
Yet the ‘keeper was beaten in the 57th minute when Allende unleashed a long-range grass-cutter which found the bottom corner to halve the deficit and bring the Brazilians back into the game.
However, ‘Downs were soon reduced to 10 men when Bongani Zungu was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Bernard Parker which, according to television replays, appeared to break the standing leg of the veteran.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visiting team remained a dangerous force in attack and Rivaldo Coetzee and Mendieta forced successive saves from Ntwari with just under 20 minutes of regulation time to play.
It seemed Sundowns were destined to suffer a 2-1 loss, but in the eighth additional minute a corner kick picked out substitute Gaston Sirino, who volleyed through a crowd of players and into the net via the inside of the post to make it 2-2 and send the game to extra time.
You can't keep a good man down ⚖
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 18, 2023
Gaston Sirino scores in the last minute of the game to send the game to Extra Time ⚽
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The added 30 minutes saw Sundowns continue to look the better team despite having just 10 men, though Galaxy almost snatched victory right at the death when Mpho Mvelase hit the frame of the goal with a headed effort.
The shootout followed, with the Rockets converting five of their six kicks, while the Brazilians had their opening and closing efforts kept out by the home side’s goalkeeper to suffer a bitter exit from the Carling KO.
Rulani Mokwena pulls no punches after the loss 🥊
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 18, 2023
The Sundowns coach praises his understrength side despite defeat to TS Galaxy 🔚#CarlingKnockout pic.twitter.com/z7ZfilV4Ot
The teams will return to action in the DStv Premiership on 29 October, with Galaxy at home to Sekhukhune United and Sundowns hosting Moroka Swallows.
TS Galaxy (2) (2) 2 (S. Mahlangu 13’, Mbunjana 16’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) (2) 2 (Allende 57’, Sirino 90+8’)
After extra time – Galaxy won 5-4 on penalties
Galaxy: Ntwari, Munyai, M. Mahlangu, Sanoka, Letsoenyo, Sebelebele (Nurkovic 70’), Mbunjana, Parker (Mvelase 63’), Vidal (Mongae 63’ [Siladi 112’]), S. Mahlangu (Mbatha 70’), Mojela (Rakwena 78’)
Sundowns: Pieterse, Coetzee (Nku 74’), Lebusa, De Reuck (Ramotsei 74’), Maboe (Sirino 86’), Zungu, Allende, Boutouil (Mashego 46’), Maema (Maseko 75’), Mendieta (B. Onyango 116’), Mkhulise