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United on the brink of glory
13/05/2008 13:27 - (SA)
Johannesburg - SuperSport United are 180 minutes away from glory and winning their first Premier Soccer League title.
United play Golden Arrows in their penultimate Absa Premiership clash at Atteridgville's Super Stadium on Wednesday night (19:30) and end their season away to Bloemfontein Celtic at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday (15:00).
The league race is heading for a classic finish between United and second placed Ajax Cape Town.
United lead the table with 51 points with the Urban Warriors one point behind.
Victory for United will see them move four points clear of Ajax who play their Cape neighbours, Santos, who are third on 45 points at the Athlone Stadium on Thursday night.
Ajax match was put back 24 hours to allow them time to recover after travelling to Cameroon at the weekend where they were hammered 5-0 by Mount Cameroon in an African Confederations Cup second round, second leg tie on Sunday. The Urban Warriors lost 6-5 on aggregate.
'I prefer to play first'
United coach Gavin Hunt is happy to play 24 hours before Ajax.
Said Hunt: "We had a similar position last week where Ajax played before us and beat AmaZulu (3-0). I prefer to play first and keep the pressure on our opponents (Ajax)."
Hunt said he would not be putting his players under any extra pressure during their remaining two matches.
Said the United coach: "We know to win the title we have to win both remaining matches. All I am asking of the players is to show consistency in their play."
United staged a superb fightback to beat Moroka Swallows 4-2 at the Super Stadium last Saturday night to set up a grand stand finish to the league.
Ajax did themselves few favours by taking a weakened side to Cameroon.
Leading 5-1 from the first leg, the Urban Warriors returned with their tails between their legs after losing 5-1.
Different approach
The plan to field a reserve strength side could have backfired further and will have done little for morale at this crucial stage of the league.
But said Hunt: "I believe in fielding my strongest side no matter which competition I play in. But everyone has a different approach.
I do not think losing in Cameroon will have that much effect on Ajax as it was not their regular players who lost. But we know if we win the last two matches we will win the title whether or not Ajax win both of theirs."
Hunt is looking to his four-goal hero, Katlego Mashego, against the Birds to continue his new goal-scoring touch.
Said Hunt: "We have battled up front this season. All I ask of Mashego is to keep up the consistency for the last two games."
One major worry for United is their star midfielder, Letladi Madbanya, faces a late fitness test on a knee injury.
Said Hunt: "I am worried about Madbanya. If he fails the fitness test it will leave a hole in midfield."
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