It was billed as the one of the big games of the weekend, headlining Hollywoodbets Super League’s Super Sunday.
And it lived up to expectations!
Top of the table JVW (Blue Diamonds) hosted the University of the Western Cape (UWC) – Blues) in a much-anticipated match up at Sturrock Park Stadium.
The Blue Diamonds have not lost a single match in five outings and led the pack on the log standings with a total haul of 15 points after overtaking early pace-setters and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
But they were coming face to face with a stubborn and resilient Thinasonke Mbuli-coached Blues, who were on cloud nine after inflicting the first defeat to the Brazilians in four years.
On a chilly Sunday afternoon, the two side locked horns watched by a sizeable crowd in the stands.
It was a very tactical match with most of the action in the middle of the park as neither side wanted to put a foot wrong, with end to end action from the first whistle to the last.
So tight was the affair that the goalkeepers did not have to make heart-stopping saves in the match.
In the end, the spoils were shared as nothing could separate the two enterprising sides, as it finished goalless.
“I’m quite emotional about the performance of my team. I think credit should go to everyone who is involved in women’s football in this country as it shows that a lot of work has been done. This was an amazing match to watch, and I am very happy to see that neither side wanted to lose. I am so emotional that I can go home and have a good night’s sleep,” said JVW coach Arthur.
Although they are the first to admit that it is still early days, the Bedfordview outfit believes that with the kind of performance they dished out, they could very well go all the way.
“We have never dropped our standards, and we want this title. We can only keep working hard and pray that we don’t have any injuries. In this match we had some key players missing and imagine when we have them back – which just goes to show that everybody in this team is ready to work when called upon to do so. I am challenging them, and they are responding very well. I was told this team (UWC) beat them twice last season and I said that will not happen – because we work hard and put in a lot of work and cannot just come and lose,” added Arthur.
“And it doesn’t bother me that we have dropped points for the first time because we were playing against a very brilliant team. I am very happy with the performance, and I don’t mind losing just as long as you play from your heart. I have a great deal of respect for UWC, they came out here to play and gave us a tough time, and this is very good for the game.”
JVW has another tough assignment as they travel to TUT who are not having a great start to the season.
The Tshwane side lost 5-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in an earlier fixture and will be looking to get back to winning ways.
“Who knows, maybe we may can get a goal or two and we will be back again (to our winning ways). We are still on top of the table, and we are not feeling any pressure. I trust my players and we are united as we have worked hard to get here. Our focus has shifted from UWC, and now preparations begin in earnest for TUT, and we will plan well for them accordingly,” said the JVW mentor.
The clash against the Blues saw the return of defender Janine van Wyk to the club after she missed three games due to a week-long coaching course in Scotland, but they were without the services of captain Nompumelelo Nyandeni who is nursing an injury.
By Matlhomola Morake
