Wonder fail to open lead

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Monday March 25, 2013 00:00

The match was played under scorching heat, especially in the second half. Despite playing hundreds of kilometers away from home, Gantsi Terrors looked like the home side. Quite a good number of their supporters thronged the match venue at the SSG Ground. Before the last weekend's matches, Wonder had collected 31 points from 15 games.

On paper, they had an upper hand and were expected to collect maximum points against the visiting side. But they met a determined Terrors that cleared everything in their 18-yard area. Against some of the best attackers in the league, among them Betsho Pius, Duncan Kgopolelo and Mkhululi Moyo, Gantsi Terrors defence was disciplined throughout the match.

Their positional play and timely interventions in dangerous situations made it difficult for the log leaders' attackers.Wonder started with their trusted and experienced players. Former national Under-23 player, Betsho Pius was on the wings with Boitumelo Modisaotsile at left back. Moyo partnered Kgopolelo upfront but Gantsi Terrors seemed to have planned well for a side that boasts many players that have plied their trade in the Premier League.

The first half produced few scoring opportunities from both sides. Although Wonder Sporting dominated possession most of the time, they could not break the solid Gantsi Terrors defence. In one of their rare attacking moments, Gantsi Terrors wasted a goal scoring opportunity in the 27th minute. Tshabu Piet delivered a beautiful high ball into the box but Tebalo Mokoduwe's header was too weak to trouble Wonder goalkeeper, Jackson Legodi. Wonder tried to break Terrors defence, but found the going tough. Frustration crept in and Moyo eventually received a caution.

In the second half, Wonder made three early substitutions, removing their experienced players, Kaelo, Pius and Kgopolelo. After the introduction of Lebone Mothao and Ogomoditse Sitang, Wonder began to find openings in Gantsi Terrors' backline but an alert goalkeeper, Sidney Le Roux proved difficult to beat.

Sitang wasted an opportunity to give Wonder Sporting the lead in the middle of the second half, heading the ball wide despite finding himself unmarked in the penalty area. The draw has now set up an interesting battle between Wonder Sporting and Jwaneng Comets for automatic promotion to the Premier League.