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Krol, Hunt size each other up

Johannesburg - Ruud Krol and Gavin Hunt want Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United to forget about the past and concentrate on their Telkom Knockout clash.

Matsatsantsa entertain the Buccaneers at Loftus on Saturday night in a quarter-final tie and the hosts will be desperate to record a win after losing to Kaizer Chiefs in the league over the weekend.

But Hunt's men have not enjoyed positive results in cup football recently, while Pirates already have the MTN8 trophy stored in their cabinet this season.

SuperSport have been ousted in tournaments from the spot and the PSL Coach of the Year for 2009 is hoping that won't be the case on Saturday.

"We lost five of our last six cup matches on penalties," he said.

"I dread penalty shootouts. I have not instructed the players to practice penalties as I hope to get this game done and dusted before that can happen."

Matsatsantsa have managed to overcome the odds and secure three successive league titles. But Hunt wants his side to focus on Bucs and not their achievements in the PSL - especially after the defeat to Amakhosi.

"This will be a different game to Chiefs. It is a cup competition and gives us a chance to regroup. Pirates play differently as well," said Hunt.

"It will be a more open game, which suits us. I will strengthen the left side of midfield with the return from injury of (Tebogo) Langerman and (Lyle) Lakay."

Krol, meanwhile, wants his charges to add to their MTN8 success instead of just dwelling on that historic victory.

"We cannot live in the past. We need to go forward. Yesterday is history," he said.

"Sometimes a team plays better than their opponents and still ends up losing 2-0. I thought SuperSport were the better side against Chiefs. Now they will now try and make amends against us.

"I'm sure it will be a tough match for us."

Krol will have a trump card in the form of Daine Klate, who was one of SuperSport's most influential players before making the switch to Chloorkop.

The left winger will be keen to produce the goods against his former club, whom he still has a soft spot for. 
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