Petro Luanda 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns: Brazilians fail to hold onto Lyle Lakay early strike as Azulao and Yano seal come-back win for hosts
Petro Luanda hosted Mamelodi Sundowns at Estádio 11 de Novembro for first leg of the Caf Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday. The hosts were down by 1-0 in early stage of the game after Lyle Lakay scored on the 6′ minute.
Petro Luanda fought back for a 2-1 victory through Azulao’s equalizer 10 minutes after Lakay’s goal and Yano late in the first half.
There were moments of drama in the tie after both sides rescued by the VAR. First was for Sundowns who saw Azulao’s goal overturned by the VAR. And second was for Petro Luanda who saw Sundowns’ late equalizer cancelled following VAR review.
How Petro Luanda won 2-1
The hosts were not limited by Sundown’s early goal, wasting little time to settle into the game. They pushed Mamelodi Sundowns to their own half as the PSL side looked for the breaks. Petro Luanda’s easiness in possession were a major distraction to Sundowns intended medium for attacks. The physicality of both side matched with no advantage but there were technical and skills issues that separated the two teams.
The Angolans, mostly dominated by Brazilian players, were more skillful whilst Mamelodi Sundowns appears the most technical side with their packed midfield able to contain the hosts’ attacks through the middle of the pitch.
Having thought that was the ideology to contain Petro Luanda, the hosts took matters on the other side equalizing from wide superiority after Tiago Azulão rose onto Augusto Carneiro’s powerful cross from the left flank. The Brazilian International timely found himself in between two Sundowns defenders as he scored from the right foot 16′ minutes into the game.
They should have doubled the lead in a deserving manner but Azulao failed to connect a teasing ball across goal area some minutes later after the equalizer. The Brazilian attacker has scored 6 goals become the top scorer of the Caf Champions League so far.
Resilient Sundowns combined defensive and offensive duties 10′ minutes to full time, and there was asurprise why the game was still 1-1 after 35′ minutes after Zwane hitting the posts and Shalulile blasting the rebound over the bar.
Mamelodi Sundowns successfully progressed through from their own half and Sirino found Shalulile with a through ball at the right edge of the box before the later shot in between Wellington’s legs but failed to enter the net as it passed across the area. Sundowns regained possession at the opposite side, Themba Zwane and Shalulile beat the hosts’ outnumbered defense with a one-two pass and the ‘Downs’ no. 18 man dribbled Wellington but his quick left foot strike hit the post before the rebound was blasted over by Shalulile.
The PSL outfit were made to pay for that wast glorious opportunity in a situation where Petro Luanda are looking so wild to take the lead, such chances shouldn’t be missed. In a counter attack, Azulao produced sweet flick-on to a dangerous cross from deep right flank as Dennis Oyengo saved Azulao’s attempt but Yano was there in the right time to score from a rebound in first half stoppage time.
Mamelodi Sundwons increased their momentum in the second half limiting all Petro Luanda attacks. The Angolans rarely see the opposite box as at 65′ minutes in what shows the South Africans’ dominant display.
Petro Luanda sat deep relying heavily on the breaks but waited until 68′ minute to break into the box with Eddie Afonso sending in a perfect cross that found Azulao. The Brazilian’s half volley was intercepted by Teboho Mokoena. A minute later Petro Luanda won a corner from a deflected shot that Oyengo could not prevent from crossing the line.
The hosts attempted a new strategy that seems to have worked for them, pouring more man up front into wide areas and nearly benefited from that after Jaredi Teixeira’s cross hit the arm of the opponent defender. There was a call for VAR review as the technology later ruled in favour of Sundowns. Petro Luanda’s recent attacks were more scintillating and Azulao made it 3-1 but the move from the right flank was ruled off.
Despite the games’ high intensity throughout, energy levels of both sides were amazing even with five minutes to end proceedings. Jaredi Teixeira tormented the left flank at the closing stage with his physique a challenge for Sundowns.
Sundowns broke in numbers after winning possession in midfield and confused the Angolans for who to mark for the final pass from Lakay. After holding on the ball quite long without passing for a final ball, he turned around and struck with his left foot into the roof of the net.
However, Petro Luanda were rescued by the VAR that overturned the goal after a review- that suggested a foul for the host in the process of Lakay’s goal. The home side won 2-1 after 90′ minutes.
Mamelodi Sunowns will host Petro Luanda for the second leg clash in South Africa next week. The PSL leaders must overturn the 2-1 scoreline to book a place in semi-finals.
