TS Galaxy interim coach Bernard Parker has provided an insight on his game plan as they stunned Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday night.
The Rockets egded the defending league champions 3-2 at Mbombela Stadium in Sundowns’ last league match of the season.
Goals from Victor Letsoalo in the seventh minute via a penalty, Sedwyn George in the 18th minute and Mpho Mvelase in the 46th minute sealed the deal for the Mpumalanga outfit. Sundowns’ goals came from in-form marksman Brayan Léon Muñiz who scored in the 38th minute before completing his brace as he converted from the spot in the 41st minute.
This was the second time this season that the Rockets beat Sundowns. They also dumped them out of the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 scoreline.
The result dealt Masandawana a huge blow in their title defense swaying it in Orlando Pirates’ favour who need just three points from their remaining two games to be crowned league champions for the first time in 14 years.
The Buccaneers take on Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena this coming weekend before ending the season with an away clash against relegation-threatend Magesi FC.
Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, ‘Die Hond’ was full of praise for his players in executing the plan admitting that they relied on Seluleko Mahlambi to get behind the Sundowns defence.
“We already had an advantage because of the psychological factor we have over them,” he said.
“At the same time, they were more under pressure by having to score a lot of goals and winning the match and it was also good for them to win this match going confidently for the Champions League final.
“We wish them all the best for the Champions League final, but as we said it, football don’t have answers, but solutions.
“We came up with a solution in terms of us keeping the discipline, taking the responsibility, and at the same time having the unity in our defending, just hit them on the counter attack.
“Because we have been practicing on how they keep a high line and for us just to make sure that we attack the space behind with the young man Mahlambi.
“He’s been so far our dangerous player for the last couple of games, so why not give the ball early to him, isolate him, give the ball early to him.
“Great one v one. In the past two games he gave us penalties, again today [Tuesday].
“So, the game plan was spot on in terms of us playing according to our strengths.”
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