Chiefs impress Sir Alex
2008-07-20 11:49
Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs surprised one of the best managers in world soccer, Sir Alex Ferguson, when Amakhosi battled to an entertaining and deserved 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the opening Vodacom Challenge clash played at Newlands on Saturday.
The English Premiership and European Champions League holders were surprised by the way Chiefs tore into them in front of a capacity crowd.
Instead of the one sided clash many expected, Chiefs rose to the occasion and flew the South Africa flag proudly with their gutsy display.
Said United manager Ferguson after the match: "I think this was a really good competitive game. And when we were 1-0 down it was difficult for us to get back in to the game. But at the end we possibly deserved a draw. Chiefs played well."
Rare praise
It was rare but deserved praise for the way Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral planned his tactics and Ferguson loves nothing better than a tough battle.
Said Ferguson of the no holds barred 90 minutes: "There were some tasty tackles going on out there that gave the game its edge."
Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral won the tactical battle. But he was quick to lavish praise on United, who scooped the coveted double of winning what is regarded as the toughest league in world football - the English Premiership and then beating fellow English giants Chelsea in a nail biting Champions League final played in Moscow Russia in May to end a hugely successful season.
Said Ertugral: "I was very impressed by the precision of United's game and their organisation on the field. It was quite superb."
When asked which players impressed him, Ferguson singled out 21-year-old Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune who again showed he is a player with the big match temperament.
Good saves
Khune, who has recently became the Bafana Bafana first choice keeper, made a number of top class saves especially in the first half, the most memorable being the one from a Paul Scholes free kick.
"The Chiefs keeper was good. I was particularly impressed by his distribution which was uncanny and put his team constantly on the counter attack," said the Manchester United coach.
Ferguson shrugged off a bad-tempered Wayne Rooney who was substituted in the 65th minute after being booked for an attempted kick off the ball against Chiefs Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
The England star striker had a poor match and never got going. Ferguson admitted afterwards: "Wayne is a born fighter. He was frustrated after having a spat with the right back. It was nothing serious."
Chiefs defeated a third string United in the 2006 version of the Challenge final but this time Ferguson has brought a much stronger squad for this competitive and prestigious pre-season annual tournament.
Ertugral admitted before the match that as Ferguson had brought most of his first team players, this was going to be a whole lot tougher and a completely new ball game for Chiefs.
"I thought we played well. This performance augers well for the coming season. But I am still working on the right combinations. I was delighted with the commitment of the players. We showed, against United, we can handle the pressure."
Ertugral was happy with two of his new players - striker Jose Torreabla and midfielder Letsholonyane. He said: "I thought both Torreabla and Letsholonyane showed great potential. I reckon Letsholonyane has a bright future ahead of him, while Torreabla looked the part."
Played with urgency
Both players plus Khune, left wing Siphiwe Tshabalala and Ghanaian central defender Jonathan Quartey shone.
United looked content to pass the ball around and entertain the capacity crowd until skipper Gary Neville fouled Tshabalala inside the penalty area and Quartey coolly slotted home the penalty in the 38th minute.
United started playing with a lot more urgency but Chiefs held on to the lead at the break.
United grabbed the equaliser when Chris Eagles' powerful header glanced off Chiefs captain Jimmy Tau to level the game in the 58th minute.
Said Tau: "We learnt a lot out there today. I am really proud of the way the boys played against a class side like United. It was a huge learning curve for us and the players are happy with their display and the result."
United travel to Durban on Sunday where they play Orlando Pirates in the second Challenge game at Durban's Kings Park Stadium on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 20:10.
Chiefs and Bucs meet in a Soweto derby at the ERPU Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday night with the winner earning the right to meet United in the Challenge final at Loftus on Saturday.
- SAPA