Chiefs impress United boss

CAPE TOWN – Kaizer Chiefs surprised one of the best managers in world football, Sir Alex Ferguson, when Amakhosi battled to an entertaining and deserved 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the opening Vodacom Challenge clash played at Newlands on Saturday.

The English Premiership and European Champions League holders were surprised by the way Chiefs tore into them in front of a capacity crowd. Instead of the one sided clash many expected, Chiefs rose to the occasion and flew the South Africa flag proudly with their gutsy display.Said United manager Ferguson after the match: “I think this was a really good competitive game.And when we were 1-0 down it was difficult for us to get back in to the game.But at the end we possibly deserved a draw.Chiefs played well.”It was rare but deserved praise for the way Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral planned his tactics and Ferguson loves nothing better than a tough battle.Said Ferguson of the no holds barred 90 minutes: “There were some tasty tackles going on out there that gave the game its edge.”Chiefs coach Ertugral won the tactical battle.But he was quick to lavish praise on United, who scooped the coveted double of winning what is regarded as the toughest league in world football – the English Premiership and then beating fellow English giants Chelsea in a nail-biting Champions League final played in Moscow Russia in May to end a hugely successful season.Said Ertugral: “I was very impressed by the precision of United’s game and their organisation on the field.It was quite superb.”When asked which players impressed him, Ferguson singled out 21-year-old Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune who again showed he is a player with the big match temperament.Khune, who has recently became the Bafana Bafana first choice keeper, made a number of top class saves especially in the first half, the most memorable being the one from a Paul Scholes free kick.Ferguson shrugged off a bad-tempered Wayne Rooney who was substituted in the 65th minute after being booked for an attempted kick off the ball against Chiefs Reneilwe Letsholonyane.Chiefs defeated a third string United in the 2006 version of the Challenge final.Ertugral admitted before the match that as Ferguson had brought most of his first team players, this was going to be a whole lot tougher and a completely new ball game for Chiefs.Ertugral was happy with two of his new players -striker Jose Torreabla and midfielder Letsholonyane.Both players plus Khune, left wing Siphiwe Tshabalala and Ghanaian central defender Jonathan Quartey shone.United looked content to pass the ball around and entertain the capacity crowd until skipper Gary Neville fouled Tshabalala inside the penalty area and Quartey coolly slotted home the penalty in the 38th minute.United started playing with a lot more urgency but Chiefs held on to the lead at the break.United grabbed the equaliser when Chris Eagles’ powerful header glanced off Chiefs captain Jimmy Tau to level the game in the 58th minute.United travelled to Durban yesterday where they play Orlando Pirates at Durban’s Kings Park Stadium tomorrow night.Kick-off is at 20h10.Chiefs and Bucs meet in a Soweto derby at the ERPU Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday night (20h10) with the winner earning the right to meet United in the Challenge final at Lofts on Saturday (15h30).SupersoccerInstead of the one sided clash many expected, Chiefs rose to the occasion and flew the South Africa flag proudly with their gutsy display.Said United manager Ferguson after the match: “I think this was a really good competitive game.And when we were 1-0 down it was difficult for us to get back in to the game.But at the end we possibly deserved a draw.Chiefs played well.”It was rare but deserved praise for the way Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral planned his tactics and Ferguson loves nothing better than a tough battle.Said Ferguson of the no holds barred 90 minutes: “There were some tasty tackles going on out there that gave the game its edge.”Chiefs coach Ertugral won the tactical battle.But he was quick to lavish praise on United, who scooped the coveted double of winning what is regarded as the toughest league in world football – the English Premiership and then beating fellow English giants Chelsea in a nail-biting Champions League final played in Moscow Russia in May to end a hugely successful season.Said Ertugral: “I was very impressed by the precision of United’s game and their organisation on the field.It was quite superb.”When asked which players impressed him, Ferguson singled out 21-year-old Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune who again showed he is a player with the big match temperament.Khune, who has recently became the Bafana Bafana first choice keeper, made a number of top class saves especially in the first half, the most memorable being the one from a Paul Scholes free kick.Ferguson shrugged off a bad-tempered Wayne Rooney who was substituted in the 65th minute after being booked for an attempted kick off the ball against Chiefs Reneilwe Letsholonyane.Chiefs defeated a third string United in the 2006 version of the Challenge final.Ertugral admitted before the match that as Ferguson had brought most of his first team players, this was going to be a whole lot tougher and a completely new ball game for Chiefs.Ertugral was happy with two of his new players -striker Jose Torreabla and midfielder Letsholonyane.Both players plus Khune, left wing Siphiwe Tshabalala and Ghanaian central defender Jonathan Quartey shone.United looked content to pass the ball around and entertain the capacity crowd until skipper Gary Neville fouled Tshabalala inside the penalty area and Quartey coolly slotted home the penalty in the 38th minute.United started playing with a lot more urgency but Chiefs held on to the lead at the break.United grabbed the equaliser when Chris Eagles’ powerful header glanced off Chiefs captain Jimmy Tau to level the game in the 58th minute.United travelled to Durban yesterday where they play Orlando Pirates at Durban’s Kings Park Stadium tomorrow night.Kick-off is at 20h10.Chiefs and Bucs meet in a Soweto derby at the ERPU Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday night (20h10) with the winner earning the right to meet United in the Challenge final at Lofts on Saturday (15h30).Supersoccer