Posted in News on Jul 28, 2003.
Spurs led 2-0 at half-time.
The match was set up to promote South Africa's bid for the 2010
Soccer World Cup and Spurs coach Glenn Hoddle felt the country has
all the necessary attributes. "This is a fantastic arena," he said
of Newlands Rugby Stadium. "I has a great atmosphere and it's a
nice pitch to play on.
"Everything else is there and if we've helped the bid in anyway,
that's great."
Spurs did not have the best start to their two-match pre-season
tour of South Africa when they went down 1-2 to Orlando Pirates in
Durban at the weekend.
But on Tuesday night it took the English Premier league team
just 30 seconds to get off the mark. From the kick-off the ball
went out to Portuguese international Helder Postiga whose shot from
the edge of the box hit Robbie Keane's leg and deflected past a
flat-footed Brian Baloyi and into the Chiefs goal.
Stephen Carr, the Irish international, had an outstanding game
in defence and broke up several dangerous advances. He was relaced
in the latter stages of the match by Serbia and Montenegro
international Goran Bunjevcevic who proved equally as solid.
In the fifth minute David Kannemeyer pushed through a good shot
but Mauricio Taricco stretched to control the ball before Sibusiso
Dlamini, who would have had a clear run towards goals, could get to
it.
In the 12th minute a good build up by the visitors saw Postiga's
shot deflect for a corner and at the other end Jabu Pule moved
smartly down the right and his shot was then deflected for a
corner.
In the 15th minute Pule cut in and his shot flew into the side
rigging and 12 minutes later Pule cut in a from the by-line and
crossed. The ball went across the goalmouth but their was no Chiefs
player close by to take advantage.
In the 29th minute Matthew Etherington centred from the left and
Postiga kicked high over the bar from eight metres.
Two minutes later Dlamini's shot was brilliantly saved by a
diving Rob Birch.
Once again in the 38th minute it was Pule who once again
delighted the crowd. He shot from the right but Birch pulled off
another great save.
Baloyi managed to thwart a Spurs attack late in the half but in
the 42nd minute Darren Anderton passed to Etherington who shot the
ball passed Baloyi to give Spurs a 2-0 cushion at half-time.
With a two-goal lead the visitors were able to relax a bit and
play some lovely one-two touches which delighted the crowd.
Chiefs never gave up, especially Pule and Stanton Fredericks.
Chiefs brought on John Moshoeu and David Radebe and with fresh legs
the pair certainly made a big difference. Spurs then brought on
Simon Davies, who last season was the Welsh and Spurs player of the
season to replace Slovenian international Milenko Acimovic.
The play became more intense with Moshoeu, Radebe, Pule and
Fredericks combining very well. But the visitors' defence held on
well and when they were breached, Birch was there to prevent any
scoring.
Both sides tried to intimidate referee Jerome Damon but failed.
He had an excellent game and allowed play to flow.
"It was definitely an improved performance," said Hodddle. "We
passed the ball well and other than a period in the middle of the
first half, I felt we were always in control."