SCOTTLAND FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)3
TRIANGLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)0
IT was a rewarding day at the office for Scottland FC, both on the pitch and on the balance sheet.
The ambitious side secured a crucial 3-0 victory over a resilient 10-man Triangle United at Rufaro Stadium yesterday, a result that triggers a massive US$5 000 windfall promised to the players for their impressive run.
Veterans Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat were the heroes of the day, scoring in either half to ensure Scottland took maximum points and moved to the summit of the log standings.
With this victory, Scottland have now gone seven games unbeaten (five wins and two draws) since their 2-1 defeat to Simba Bhora on May 3.
They sit top of the table with 34 points, two ahead of Hardrock and Caps United.
The scoreline, however, does not quite tell the full story of a match that hung in the balance early on.
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Triangle United actually dominated the opening exchanges and had the hosts on the back foot.
The turning point of the match arrived after just 18 minutes.
Triangle United defender Enock Karembo was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on a goal-bound Khama Billiat right at the edge of the box.
The expulsion forced Triangle United coach Lloyd Chitembwe into an early tactical substitution, sacrificing former Warriors winger Talent Chawapiwa for Dominic Musonda to plug the defensive hole.
Despite being a man down, the visitors fought gallantly and looked to have Scottland under wraps for most of the first half.
Scottland finally broke the deadlock three minutes before the halftime whistle, courtesy of a defensive howler.
Triangle United goalkeeper Panashe Nyabunga inexplicably ventured way out of his 18-yard box and lost possession.
The red-hot Musona capitalised on the blunder, showed immense composure to beat two recovering defenders and rolled the ball into an empty net.
It was a cruel blow for Triangle, who had arguably done enough to deserve a goal or two in the first stanza.
As expected, Scottland used their numerical advantage to dominate the second half.
Nyabunga partially redeemed himself early in the half with a stunning close-range stop to deny Moses Shidolo.
Minutes later, Billiat thought he had doubled the lead, but his effort was flagged for offside.
But he would not be denied in the 72nd minute.
The talismanic forward coolly slotted home a precise square pass from Panashe Mutimbanyoka to put the game beyond Triangle’s reach.
Mohammed Issaka found the net on the stroke of full-time to make it 3-0
Speaking after the match, Scottland coach Norman Mapeza praised his team’s maturity:
“It was a good game of football. After the red card, I knew it was not going to be easy. Most people think playing against 10 men becomes easier, but in football, it is very, very difficult,” he said.
“I told the boys we couldn’t afford a negative approach. What really helped us was that we kept the ball.
“Keeping possession helps you defend and creates opportunities. I’m happy for the boys, they worked so hard. Now it’s about managing recovery for a very crucial match this weekend.”
On the losing side, Chitembwe, the Triangle United coach, lamented the red card, but credited Scottland’s superior quality
“The first half, I thought we had them under wraps and were in control of the game. After the expulsion of Karembo, obviously, it was a different game.
“I am sure the difference in today’s match was down to quality. When you are one man less playing against a quality side like Scottland, you are obviously in trouble. The difference today was simply quality.”
While Scottland players celebrate both the pole position and their US$5 000 halfway-stage bonuses, the alarm bells are ringing loudly for Triangle United.
This loss marks Triangle’s ninth consecutive match without a victory.
They remain rooted to the bottom of the 18-team standings, anchoring the table with just nine points from 17 matches.
