SuperSport edge Vasco

United were by far the better side in the opening half, but had to fight a rearguard battle for lengthy second half periods.

The only goal of the game came early on, through Liberian international Anthony Laffor.

When the first half started, people were still making their way to a windy but sunny Green Point, but by the time the second half got underway the crowd was in full force and fast approaching 40 000 people.

SuperSport looked the more dangerous side early on, with a half chance after two minutes for Laffor.

It was Laffor who opened the scoring, netting with a quick reaction shot from 10-yards after a knock-down by Tshepo Bulu, who had done well to get in amongst the Vasco centre backs, 1-0 to the visitors after 12 minutes.

The home side’s early play was punctuated by some sloppy passes, especially at the back, where they were lucky not to be punished.

The Cape side were gifted the opportunity to level the game in the 23rd minute when Matsatsantsa keeper Rowen Fernandez found himself stranded, but Jonathan Armogam was guilty of missing an open goal from less than 12 yards out.

With the advent of the second half it was again Vasco who found themselves with the majority of the defending to do.

However, on and around the hour mark the Cape Town side started to gather some momentum in attack as first Francois Adams failed to locate a string of team-mates with a cross from the by-line and then Josephy Kamwendo had a penalty appeal turned down.

United though remained a threat on the counter and created a good chance via this route in the 65th minute, but Laffor sent his first time shot over the bar.

Fikru Tefera then wasted the chance to settle the game when he blasted over the bar from just inside the box.

Again with 10 minutes to go Vasco stepped up their attacking efforts, but some fantastic commitment in the SuperSport defence saw players putting their bodies on the line to block a string of shots.

Sibusiso Zuma, starved of chances, nearly burst through with a solo run in the 89th minute, but Morgan Gould was dependable as ever, making a superb tackle and making sure United went home with all three points.

Vasco da Gama (0) 0
SuperSport United (1) (Laffor 12’) 1

TEAMS

Vasco (4-5-1): Omony; Isaacs (August 88’), Adams, Tsotetsi, Jenniker; Armogam, Moloi (Walaza 53’), Karkee, Kamwendo (Fransman 80’), Alexander; Zuma

SuperSport (4-4-2): Fernandez; September, Booysen, Gould, Kannemeyer; Maluleke (Kekana 55’), Madubanya, Selolwane, Lackay (Fikru 58’), Laffor, Bulu (Ntshumayelo 78’).