By Flata Kavinga
Grain Tigers Football Club tasted their first defeat at home, losing 1-0 against visiting Blanket Mine in an otherwise balanced ZIFA Central Region Division One Soccer League match played at Mbizo Stadium.
Mathew Mhandire was on target for Blanket Mine through a penalty.
Speaking to journalists during a post match interview Grain Tigers FC head coach Kudzai Mhandire said his team played well but conceded a penalty which later determined the result.
“It was a difficult match. It is a bitter pill to swallow. I thought we played better but just one moment decided the game. It was a fair penalty given by a defender, somehow he misjudged the flight of the ball and allowed it to bounce. There is nothing you can do in that situation. Any small mistake, the referee is obliged to give a penalty,” he said.
He added, “We were found wanting. They were playing the same formation as ours, 5 in defence and 5 in attack, we failed to add the numbers in the box.”
He said they are targeting winning the championship.
“It’s achievable. It’s my first time being in this league. We will see how things go. We will try to adjust coming out of this game,” said Mhandire.
Blanket Mine head coach Luke Jukulile said his team played according to plan and picked up crucial points.
“Out strategy coming here was an issue to say come rain come what, we should at least come up with a point but this is a job well done we managed to get three points. Looking at the way GMB has been playing at home, we were so much cautious,” he said.
“I congratulate my guys for a job well done and again to the spirited performance by Grain Tigers but tactically we did not play as per our game plan but over and above, it has been overshadowed by this win. I said to my guys let’s continue winning games as early points will be crucial in the later stages of the title race. It is still early to talk about winning the league,” said Jukulile.
