A last minute goal in a five goal thriller has seen Mamelodi Sundowns record their first three points of the season after beating TS Galaxy 3-2 on Tuesday night at the Mbombela Stadium.
It only took five minutes for the visitors to take an early lead. Tashreeq Matthews was fouled inside the box, leading to the referee pointing to the spot. Brian Leon took the spot kick, seeing Masandawana breaking the deadlock.
Leon had a clear opportunity on the 12th minute after a defence-splitting pass from Marcelo Allende but the ball was intercepted off his feet after taking time to fire a shot. The ball went to the opposite end of the pitch when the hosts attempted to take a shot from a tight angle but Ronwen Williams scooped the ball.
After continuously knocking on the door and forcing the Downs defence to work, The Rockets found s leveller on the 33rd minute. Nuno Santos lost the ball and the hosts took it straight to the box, beating Williams.
While both teams fought to snatch the lead, they went to the break deadlocked. Upon return to play, Bennet Mokoena, who came in the second stanza, drove the ball to the box, going past two defenders. Instead of taking the shot, he handed it to Matthews whose effort was smacked away by the keeper.
Bafana Ba Style were fighting to get a winner and just after the hour mark, the chance came from Leon on the right flank but the keeper dived to tip it away. A 77th minute setpiece effort saw Galaxy snatching the lead. Williams tried his best to block the ball but he couldn’t stop it.
Just before the end of regulation time, the visitors levelled matters. Khuliso Mudau made a cut-back to find substitute, Cassius Mailula but Mailula’s effort was blocked. A rebound was found during a scramble by Sphelele Mlhulise’s heel that punched the ball into the box.
A last gasp goal in added time sealed the match for The Brazilians. Again, the goal came from Mudau’s cut back, which was met by Mkhulise who slotted it in. This saw the Pretoria-based side walking away with all points on offer.
