Dec 8 1350 GMT
Mamelodi Sundowns - Al Ahly 1:1
Before: Al Ahly from
Cairo Egypt are weakened by the abscence of injured ore suspended players
and the early kick off time which is inconvenient for the visitors because
of the Ramadan daylight fasting.
Both teams have not entirely
been convincing but have slipped into the finals as group runners up through
close semi final matches. Sundowns have contained their opponents quite
successfully and allowed only few goals but have not scored many themselves.
In fact their average per game is below one! Anyway they did show attacking
potential in their semi final homegame and Al Ahly surely will play drawn
back, trying to make it a low scoring game and possibly get a chance on
counter attacks.
1st half:
-Al Ahly begin less shy
than expected attacking with four, five players against a crowded Sundowns
defence. Sundowns try to cut midfield space right away to deprive the visitors
of the ball and initiate quick attacks into the counter spaces that teams
offer when in ball possession.
-both teams play their
traditional outfit, Sundowns in Brazilian style, Al Ahly in red shirts,
white shorts, red stockings.
-only one side of the
stadium is filled with fans, the other three sides look embarassingly empty
for the biggest African club game
-('17) after a balanced
first quarter with no goal chances, Sundowns have the first huge opportunity:
a through ball beats a fragmented defence line, #29 is through and beats
the keeper by a low shot, but the ball bounces back from the goal post
back into the field, passing by a second Sundowns player ready to score
only by a meter
-('21) The Al Ahly keeper
grabs a sharp distant shot
-('26) Sundowns: a great
#20 solorun through midfield is crowned by a 20 meter low shot that touches
the goal post and rushes into the net - 1:0
-quite well executed running
patterns by the 3 other strikers had helped o spread the holes in the defence
for the scorer to cut into, the whole scene had been a fast attack against
a quite exposed 4 men defenece
-the Egyptian strategy
of not playing drawn back had effectively moved the action away from their
own goal but also had set up the scenario for fast through attacks. Those
were successful twice and resulted in two huge opportunities of which one
has been converted
-('31)('32) Al Ahly come
close to a first opportunity, a scene which is answered right away by a
Sundowns half chance on another counter attack.
-('33) two big scenes for
Al Ahly: first #6 breaks through but can't get off a shot, the situation
is cleared by the keeper with his foot. Then a long range attempt is deflected
by the keeper for a corner.
-('38) another chance for
Al Ahly: after the South African keeper had not cleared a cross convincingly,
he has to save a 16 meter shot which comes right on his body.
-('45) Al Ahly have pressured
the hosts during most of the last 20 minutes and play through aagain after
a fine combination - but a South African defender can put his leg in just
before there is a real scoring opportunity.
halftime 1:0
A fine match, Al Ahly have
convinced concerning their general concept while Sundowns have been impressive
in the way they have exploited their talents: defending the zero in the
back while becoming extremely dangerous on the few occasions offered.
2nd half:
- ('53) a yellow card for
Sundowns #29 in a match that appears to be very fair and fluent
-the second half up to
here resembles the balanced picture of the first 25 minutes of the first
half
-('59) cross from the
left- an Egyptian attacker at the second goal post for once beats beats
the defence and makes a header which leaves no chance to the keeper and
goes into the corner of the goal in reverse direction of the cross 1:1
-('63) Al Ahly with another
good looking attempt
-('64) on the other side
another half chance on a quick counter attack, a low shot no problem for
the keeper
-now Al Ahly seem to
play more drawn back, satisfied with the away goal. Immediately the action
is shifting into their half as tehy don't get far when in possession. In
one against one the Al Ahly forwards seem well controlled by the Sundowns
defenders
-('73)('74) Al Ahly are
moving around the ball in their half and midfield while Sundowns seem not
capable anymore to apply a threatening pressing. After about a minute or
more a sudden dangerous through ball but it is intercepted by the keeper.
-a clear shift of confidence
in favour of the Egyptians
-('77) on a another through
ball a Sundwons defender can intervene in the last moment
-('80) Sundowns with a huge
opportunity out of the blue thanks to individual potential: #28 fires from
25 meters, a shot that beats the Egyptian keeper clearly but bounces back
from the goalpost
-now Sundowns pressure
the Egyptian goal and look capable of creating chances even against a crowded
defence- a picture that confirms the original tactics as right
-('85) a now rare dangerous
Egyptian counter attack interrupts the Sundowns pressure
-('87) Al Ahly control the
ball again and run down almost a minute without letting the opponents touch
it only stooped by an injury time out
--('90+1) Al Ahly unconcentrated
at a corner and a must score opportunity for Sundowns: a striker all alone
7 meters in front of the goal fires the ball across the bar
-('90+2) another uncobncetrated
defending but Al Ahly are luck when a 20 meter attempt is blocked by a
defenders leg and the loose ball does not fall in front of the feet of
one of the luriing Sundowns strikers
final score 1:1
Al Ahlyt tactics, which
had long been to move the action away from the own goal while taking the
risk ogf offering spaces for fast attacks, eventually paid off in a 1:1
draw with a valuable away goal scored which leaves the Egyptians with a
wider field of tactical options for the return match at Cairo. Which will
hopefully see a more apprpriate background, namely a packed stadium.
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