The Sunday News
Cosmas Zulu
Bulawayo City vs Harare City (League Game — Luveve Stadium)
A draw was the fair result from the two big cities’ teams of the country. There were only three corner kicks in the entire game with two from Bulawayo and one from Harare.
Bulawayo City scored in the 12th minute after Timothy January won the individual tussle at the edge of the box and sent a volley which was spilled by Harare City goalkeeper for a Bulawayo player to tap into an empty net.
Harare City, having one shot on target for the entire 45 minutes, came back after the breather with some sunshine football.
They were rewarded handsomely on the same spot where Bulawayo City brewed their goal.
A Harare City player showing some dribbling skills turned a defender inside out before sending in a cross into the box for Kuda Musharu to head home for the equaliser.
I said this in one of my instalments that it’s high time Bulawayo City players work harder or else they are heading back to Division One league.
Highlanders vs Herentals (League Game — BF)
I would like to salute the technical staff of Highlanders and players for collecting three points. This game was not for entertainment, coming from three defeats in row.
Herentals did put some splendid football in the last 15 minutes, if it was not for Ariel Sibanda who pulled some brilliant saves they could have at least gotten a goal.
The just ended World Cup was very unpredictable. I have never seen such a tournament since 1974 up to date when I started following world football.
Back then, you could easily know the nation which was going to win but it has been different in this tournament.
There is a saying which goes like this: “the connection between possession and success is an obvious thing,” but not in this game.
It was the opposite. At half time in the final between France and Croatia, it was 39% of possession for France and 61% possession for Croatia.
But I will say this, at high level of soccer seeing big professionals failing to deal and manage set pieces was shocking to me.
The first goals from both teams came from these situations. Congratulations to France, the goals scored by Progba and Mbappe could see Croatia supporters in the stadium struggling to believe what they were seeing.
Lastly, local coaches can learn more if they can copy the two coaches of France and Croatia.
No shouting for the entire 90 minutes, you observe more if you are seated and composed.
England vs Belgium (Third and fourth place)
Football is sometimes cruel. Belgium was the right team to meet France in the final where we were going to see proper quality creative football, but it was not to be, but at least they got the third place after beating England in the play-offs.
For England coming fourth was a big achievement of the 15 goals they scored in this tournament, nine all came from dead ball situations.
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