Spurs seem to have put the disappointment of stumbling right in the last hurdle, when the lost 2-0 to Khayelitsha’s RV United in last year’s final, behind them.
The Wynberg-based side played with confidence and the goals seem to come with ease in the run-up to the last round of 16.
In their game against Vasco on Sunday, Spurs’ SA under-20 players Jamie-Lee Witbooi, Caryn van Ryneveld and Jennifer Smith ran riot over their Parow-based opponents.
The trio terrorised Vasco throughout the encounter, with their darting runs and quick inter-passing.
Their game plan, it seemed, was to put their opponents under pressure throughout the encounter, which worked at the end of the day.
In fact, Vasco didn’t really threaten Spurs besides their second half move, which resulted in their consolation goal.
They seemed to struggle to deal with their opponents’ nippy players while Spurs, on the other hand, were clinical, making good use of the opportunities that came their way.
Although she didn’t score any goals in the game, Simons, from Plumstead, was particularly impressive on the left wing, after coming off the bench in the second half.
A Grade 8 pupil at St Joseph’s Marist College, Aimee Simons said her side had a slow start to the game but improved in the second half.
This, she said, was because they were a little nervous at the beginning.
“We got better as the game progressed and started taking our chances. Vasco were not a bad side as they caused lots of problems for us. However, we were solid at the back hence they were unable to find a way through our defence,” she said.
Aimee said the game was not as one-sided as the score line suggest.
The difference between the two teams, she said, was that Spurs were more decisive upfront.
“Vasco gave us a good run but we were able to take our chances,” she said.
She said things are going to be even tougher, going to the next round. The remaining teams, she said, are getting better as the competition progresses, which mean they have to up their game.
“We have to be even more clinical going forward, and make use of each chance that comes our way,” she said.
Spurs know how it is in these late stages of the competition.
Last year, for instance, they were one of the best teams in the competition, going all the way to the final before losing 2-0 against eventual champions, Khayelitsha’s RV United in the final.
They will look to do better this time around and go all the way to win the competition.
“Our chances of winning this year’s competition are good, we just need to keep improving and concentrate,” said Aimee.
