Oranje outplays Eunice in Free State Derby
Oranje laid claim to bragging rights as the top team in the Free State after they breezed to a 5-1 win over their perennial rivals, Eunice, in an entertaining encounter on Tuesday night.
While the visitors needed time to settle down and find their feet, Oranje was on the button from the first minute.
Gyster van Schalkwyk’s charges took advantage of Eunice’s nerves and imposed themselves on their opposition, forcing coach Nika Coertzen‘s side onto the defensive.
Oranje’s dominance was such that seven minutes into the match, they had made several circle entries and attempts on goal, while Eunice had not yet entered the Oranje D.
The unrelenting pressure from Oranje resulted in a goal for the home side 14 minutes into the contest when Xylia Choene capitalised on a mistake in defence close to the goal, which left her simply needing to tap the ball past the goalkeeper for the opener.
In the lead-up to the match, coach Van Schalkwyk had told SuperSport Schools Plus: “We play well on and off the ball, and that makes us dangerous approaching and entering the circle.” That was apparent as they took a firm grip on the match after that first goal.
Eunice was pushed onto the backfoot, with Oranje owning the penalty corner count and also controlling possession and territory. That led to the visitors sitting deep in defence.
As a result, more space opened up in front of the Oranje midfielders and Marlene du Plessis benefitted when she was able to tee up a shot from the edge of the circle. The ball was headed for a post, but Carli Oosthuizen got a stick on it and redirected it between the goalkeeper’s pads.
Oranje made it 3-0 four minutes later through Chanette Jansen van Vuuren, who made a circle entry after exhibiting some fine skills, before firing off a shot that was deflected by a defender past the goalie and into the box.
After a fifth-place finish at the All Girls Festival, where their form was a little patchy, Eunice sought a bounce-back performance. Oranje, meanwhile, finished third at the same event, which was played in Potchefstroom.
Eunice didn’t get the bounce-back they were after, and neither were they able to celebrate coach Nika Coertzen‘s 150th match in charge of the 1st XI, and captain Trusten Barnard‘s remarkable 150th game for the side in fitting fashion. They trailed 0-3 at half-time.
After the break, Eunice was revitalised. They played with greater urgency and made a strong effort to gain a foothold in the contest. Anriette Otto and her fellow defenders, however, dealt with the Eunice attacking forays comfortably. Otto has been a wall in defence all season long, and it was no different against Eunice.
Any hopes of a Eunice comeback were dashed when Oranje struck twice with the space of two minutes, to lead 5-0 with less than eight minutes to go.
Eunice mustered a late strike, but only four minutes remained by then. It was too little, too late.
