Bidvest Wits just could not do the basics right in a first-half performance that probably cost them three points as much as conceding an equaliser deep in injury time‚ said Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt after his side’s 2-2 draw against Highlands Park.
Hunt admitted his side had a nightmare first half in their Premier Soccer League match at Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday night‚ which was perhaps their worst 45 minutes of the season‚ conceding a penalty scored by Thanduyise Khuboni (25th minute)‚ equalising through Elias Pelembe‚ but then seeing Sifiso Hlanti sent off in the 44th.
Down to 10 men‚ Wits found a better rhythm and finally brought their midfield and front-line into the game‚ fighting back for Pelembe to score a second (69th).
But with a strange five minutes added by referee Lwandile Mfiki‚ having done all the hard work Wits conceded Mothobi Mvala’s equaliser in the fifth minute of that.
“We never did the basics of the game‚” said Hunt of his team’s first-half performance‚ where they gave the ball away in their own half on at almost half a dozen occasions.
“Second balls‚ headers‚ tackles‚ closing down. And in saying that in the first half we had the best two chances.
“‘Tsotso’ could have just rolled the ball to Mhango‚ and then it wouold have been a goal.”
“But we had enough to fight our way back‚ even with 10 men. And we were the better team with 10.
“But we had two chances in the first half where they should have scored.
“The penalty wasn’t a penalty. And it’s disappointing to get a red card from it.
“But we’re still unbeaten. And even after going down to 10 men‚ we got something here.
“But I mean it was a game that‚ I wouldn’t say we should have won‚ to be fair to Highlands‚ but we had the game.
“And when you have a game you’ve got to control it‚ and be good enough.”
Wits went back to the top of the PSL table with the result‚ level on 20 points with Caope Town City‚ but with a superior goal difference.
Both sides came out with their casualties in a bruising encounter‚ where Highlands clipped at Wits’ heels‚ hacked out of defence and rattled the more cultured Clever Boys.
Wits centreback Buhle Mkhwanazi might have suffered a broken nose‚ Hunt said.
Highlands goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini collapsed in the change room at half time from concussion from an earlier clash‚ and had to be replaced by reserve keeper Marlon Heugh from the break. - TMG Digital.
"At least we are still unbeaten‚" says Gavin Hunt
Bidvest Wits just could not do the basics right in a first-half performance that probably cost them three points as much as conceding an equaliser deep in injury time‚ said Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt after his side’s 2-2 draw against Highlands Park.
Hunt admitted his side had a nightmare first half in their Premier Soccer League match at Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday night‚ which was perhaps their worst 45 minutes of the season‚ conceding a penalty scored by Thanduyise Khuboni (25th minute)‚ equalising through Elias Pelembe‚ but then seeing Sifiso Hlanti sent off in the 44th.
Down to 10 men‚ Wits found a better rhythm and finally brought their midfield and front-line into the game‚ fighting back for Pelembe to score a second (69th).
But with a strange five minutes added by referee Lwandile Mfiki‚ having done all the hard work Wits conceded Mothobi Mvala’s equaliser in the fifth minute of that.
“We never did the basics of the game‚” said Hunt of his team’s first-half performance‚ where they gave the ball away in their own half on at almost half a dozen occasions.
“Second balls‚ headers‚ tackles‚ closing down. And in saying that in the first half we had the best two chances.
“‘Tsotso’ could have just rolled the ball to Mhango‚ and then it wouold have been a goal.”
“But we had enough to fight our way back‚ even with 10 men. And we were the better team with 10.
“But we had two chances in the first half where they should have scored.
“The penalty wasn’t a penalty. And it’s disappointing to get a red card from it.
“But we’re still unbeaten. And even after going down to 10 men‚ we got something here.
“But I mean it was a game that‚ I wouldn’t say we should have won‚ to be fair to Highlands‚ but we had the game.
“And when you have a game you’ve got to control it‚ and be good enough.”
Wits went back to the top of the PSL table with the result‚ level on 20 points with Caope Town City‚ but with a superior goal difference.
Both sides came out with their casualties in a bruising encounter‚ where Highlands clipped at Wits’ heels‚ hacked out of defence and rattled the more cultured Clever Boys.
Wits centreback Buhle Mkhwanazi might have suffered a broken nose‚ Hunt said.
Highlands goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini collapsed in the change room at half time from concussion from an earlier clash‚ and had to be replaced by reserve keeper Marlon Heugh from the break. - TMG Digital.
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