Soccer
A lot at stake in Downs-Celtic intriguing clash─── 16:52 Wed, 09 Apr 2014
Lee Khotlele
Bloemfontein - Sundowns and Celtic will battle in what promises to be a mouth-watering league encounter between teams that are looking to keep the winning momentum going.
Both teams will want to win to also keep alive their respective goals as far as the league is concerned.
Celtic are on a mission of maintaining their top-eight spot while Downs will look to close a gap on the log-leaders and title chasers, Kaizer Chiefs.
The Brazilians are placed second on the log, equal with Chiefs on 52 points while Phunya Sele Sele occupy the eighth spot with 36 points.
Following successes endured in their previous matches, both sides are confident going into the match and will want to pick-up where they left off.
The Brazilians stunned Chiefs 1-0 while Siwelele did the same against Platinum Stars at home.
However, Celtic captain and former Sundowns defender, Clayton Daniels, told OFM Sport that it is going to be an open but difficult game.
“Both teams are confident, and that means the game will be vital. No one will pack the bus and just defend; it is going to be an exciting match,” said Daniels.
Downs are unbeaten in their six recent matches and host Siwelele, who have not tasted a defeat in their last seven games as well.
Their last away defeat in the league was in February at the hands of Chiefs, and Sundowns’ defender, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, said that the the Brazilians would have to dig deep for a victory against the Bloemfontein side.
“We are expecting a tough encounter. However, we are prepared; we will work hard and hopefully we will win the match and keep going,” Mphahlele told OFM Sport.
Celtic last beat Sundowns in the league in the 2012/13 season. In their previous meeting, Sundowns demolished Celtic 4-0.
The match at Loftus Stadium gets underway tonight at 19:30.
Both teams will want to win to also keep alive their respective goals as far as the league is concerned.
Celtic are on a mission of maintaining their top-eight spot while Downs will look to close a gap on the log-leaders and title chasers, Kaizer Chiefs.
The Brazilians are placed second on the log, equal with Chiefs on 52 points while Phunya Sele Sele occupy the eighth spot with 36 points.
Following successes endured in their previous matches, both sides are confident going into the match and will want to pick-up where they left off.
The Brazilians stunned Chiefs 1-0 while Siwelele did the same against Platinum Stars at home.
However, Celtic captain and former Sundowns defender, Clayton Daniels, told OFM Sport that it is going to be an open but difficult game.
“Both teams are confident, and that means the game will be vital. No one will pack the bus and just defend; it is going to be an exciting match,” said Daniels.
Downs are unbeaten in their six recent matches and host Siwelele, who have not tasted a defeat in their last seven games as well.
Their last away defeat in the league was in February at the hands of Chiefs, and Sundowns’ defender, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, said that the the Brazilians would have to dig deep for a victory against the Bloemfontein side.
“We are expecting a tough encounter. However, we are prepared; we will work hard and hopefully we will win the match and keep going,” Mphahlele told OFM Sport.
Celtic last beat Sundowns in the league in the 2012/13 season. In their previous meeting, Sundowns demolished Celtic 4-0.
