It was goals galore on Friday night when Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 2-2 draw by Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League group stages at Loftus Versfeld.
Nuno Santos made a delightful pass early in the game after finding a pocket of space. His pass to the area, however, was too powerful for Khuliso Mudau to connect with. Santos also looked to put the first to have his name on the scoresheet when he struck a shot towards goal, but the goalkeeper blocked the effort.
In the 15th minute, after spending the opening minutes defending in their half, the visitors broke the deadlock. This came following the Downs defence’s inability to deal with a loose ball. The Al Hilal side managed to drive the ball into the area unmarked and drilled the ball into the net.
Seven minutes later, the hosts retaliated to level matters through Arthur Sales. From a delivery made into the area by Santos, Sales tucked the ball into the empty to get his side back in the game.
Despite a titanic tussle displayed by the two sides in the opening stanza, there were no more goals witnessed, which led both sides heading to the interval level at 1-1.
Brayan Leon – who was making his CAF Champions League debut – delivered the ball into the danger zone, and Thato Sibiya was available to receive the ball. His attempt to flick the ball over the keeper was blocked.
Teboho Mokoena put his side in front in the 64th minute. Through his famous long-range effort, the midfield maestro smacked the back of the net after the hosts had been awarded a corner kick. It, however, did not take the visitors long before they equalised. Grant Kekana had initially cleared the ball from danger, but a rebound found the net.
What followed was plenty of bookings but no goals on sight, seeing the two sides walking away with a point apiece, despite a desperate search for a goal that would see them snatch the lead.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Mudau, Cupido, Kekana, Sibiya, Mokoena, Santos, Allende, Sales, Mothiba, Matthews.
Subs: Onyango, Morena, Johannes, Basadien, Adams, Mkhulise, Letlhaku, Reisinho, León.
