Orlando Pirates concluded their pre-season tour to Spain with defeat as they fell to a 3-2 draw against Qatari champions Al-Sadd on Friday. It was the Soweto Giants’ first loss on tour, following two draws and a victory over Sevilla, while the men from Doha made it two wins in as many matches in Marbella.
A frantic opening 10 minutes produced three goals, with the Buccaneers finding themselves trailing just moments after the first whistle as Hashim Ali put his side ahead following a defensive error. It could have quickly turned into an uphill climb for Jose Riveiro’s men when Rafa Mujica got on the end of another attack in the sixth minute, only to be denied by Melusi Buthelezi.
Parity was restored two minutes later, with Kabelo Dlamini linking up with Tshegofatso Mabasa who calmly chipped the keeper to net his first of the tour.
The Bucs striker soon doubled his tally when he produced a composed finish inside the penalty area, this time set up by Karim Kimvuidi through some nifty footwork.
With a goal advantage, Pirates controlled the game’s tempo for much of the middle part of the first period, and could have extended their lead around the half-hour mark when the ball landed kindly for Deon Hotto whose shot from outside the box floated off target. Miguel Timm also had an opportunity from a similar range, but his effort resulted in a comfortable grab for goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb.
Hopes of taking a lead into the break vanished just five minutes before the halftime whistle, as after a period of sustained attack from Al-Sadd, Gonzalo Plata’s shot found a way through the Buccaneers’ congested penalty area into the net.
Looking to sneak back in front, Pirates enjoyed a significant spell inside opposition territory without managing to manufacture real opportunities at goal.
Al-Sadd had no such problems at the other end, as they took the lead in the 53rd minute through Plata who bagged his second of the day.
The Buccaneers continued to push for their third, with their opponents’ defence remaining resolute.
Their best chance of the second half came late in the contest when Gilberto found himself unmarked inside the box, but pushed his effort narrowly wide of the target.
There was no further change to the scoreboard as the final whistle eventually sounded with the Buccaneers falling just short of an unbeaten run in Spain.
Pirates XI: Buthelezi (Zulu 62’), Sibisi (Ndah 62’), Sesane (Maela 62’) , Monyane (Lebitso 62’), Hotto (Madalane 62’), Timm (Baloni 62’), Rasebotja (Ndlondlo 46’), Dlamini (Maswanganyi 62’), Nkota (Moleleki 46’), Kimvuidi (Kapinga 62’), Mabasa (Gilberto 46’).
