18th September, 2008

UNDER cloudy skies the build up to the International Cup really got underway with the first of the Multicultural Challenge Matches yesterday. For South Africa it was a chance to cast off the jetlag and encourage participation amongst Melbourneâ??s ethnically African community in this friendly that does not count towards the main Cup tournament. Other warm-up matches included Papua New Guinea against Coolangatta on the Gold Coast and the Peace Team against Old Brighton Football Club in Melbourne.

After some morning drizzle, the rain held off and did not have a great influence on the match. Gosch's Paddock, the training home of Collingwood Football Club, was in great condition. A small crowd made up of regular international watchers, families of Team Africa, the South African squad and entourage and a few forward scouts from opposition teams saw the friendly start not with a siren but the umpireâ??s whistle.

The South Africans dominated from the start. With quick handball and plenty of numbers getting around the ball the South Africans put an early goal. It was Jayce Zidel who finished well after quick handball from a pack saw him kick truly from 35m out.

While they clearly dominated the quarter, the South Africans went wide and were held up constantly by Team Africa. Numerous behinds piled up for the Lions and Team Africa managed to hold them off with four rushed behinds. Team Africa did manage to make take the ball into their forward 50 on a handful of occasions and managed to kick one nice goal for the quarter. The South Africans looked to be struggling with their forward setup, with little leading to the ball, rather picking out small targets to the left and right of the square.

The second quarter looked a whole new ball game, the onballers started to get good use of the ball and the forward line started to move. South Africa has few players that you would describe as big men, and at 186cm Toy Prinsloo (along with Bryan Mitchell) is the tallest. His first goal of the day though was more like that of a rover as he crumbed the pack to kick from close range.

Again Team Africa worked hard to defy the Lions as they responded shortly after at the southern end. South Africa's veteran Mtutu Hlomela read the next centre tap beautifully and, in what looked like a classic footy drill, hit promising junior Bayanda Sobweta with a great pass leading out from the goal square. Sobweta went back and drilled the goal. Although still a little wasteful (perhaps rusty or jetlagged) the South Africans added further goals from Toy Prinsloo, Zukani Tyali and Benji Motuba to lead by 37 points at half time.

The third quarter saw the South Africans continue as they had in the second, with Team Africa starting to look tired and lacking much structure. Prinsloo and Zidel were providing targets up forward, while their midfield was creating plenty of run. Team Africa posted one more goal for the quarter from a 25-meter penalty, but by three-quarter time the South Africans held a 63-point margin and the game was well and truly out of reach.

The final term saw the ball spend most of its time in the South African's forward half, as the Lions added another three goals while keeping Team Africa scoreless. As the rain started midway through the quarter, the pace slowed and the Lions finished with a solid 82-point victory that should sound a warning to teams set to challenge them in the pool rounds - certain to enter Wednesday's game against China as strong favorites.
Team Africa showed some promise, although they looked to be the less experienced team. While they had the height advantage, their talls were generally fairly lanky, and they lacked a bit of speed compared with the more athletic South Africans. This could cost them come next Friday, against Team Asia's squad of running men who have impressed with the Elgar Park Dragons over the past two seasons.
 
South Africa    1.10    6.14    11.18    14.19 (103)
Team Africa    1.0    2.1    3.3    3.3 (21)
Goalkickers for South Africa were T Prinsloo 5, J Horn 2, Matshane, Xhasa, Sobetwa, Motuba, Zidel, Tyali, Garenamotse