Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, has described the win against Supersport United at Orlando Stadium as pound-for-pound match.
The Buccaneers needed a 79th minute penalty from Thapelo Xoki to clinch the three points.
“We didn’t start well and if I’m not mistaken, they had three corners and throw ins in the first five minutes of the game,” said Riveiro after the match. “That’s a lot of advantage when you play against a team like Supersport United. But the game was played pound-to-pound.
“It was a football match, a real football match from both sides. We have to give credit to the opponent; it was a great performance. With their style and the way, they do things, I’m proud that we managed to counter that type of football. To control more second balls like never before.
In the 70th minute Supersport United came close from scoring when Patrick Maswanganyi came one-on-one with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine – but the Bucs shot stopper made produced a fine save.
“There is a gap to improve when it comes to transitions, we conceded two transitions from our set pieces and one was close to costing the game. “Perhaps that was the only clear chance they had in 90 minutes.
“We came back in the second half I think much better, we managed to use the space behind their wing backs. That gave us much more time to spend in their half.
“The second half belonged to Pirates, without any discussion. If the goal didn’t come through penalty, it could have come a bit early because we dominated in the last 30 or 40 meters of the field in the second half.”
*Image courtesy of Orlando Pirates