TS Galaxy became the first team to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout after they beat a 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns 5-4 on penalties at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Wednesday evening.
This encounter was decided on penalties after the Brazilians had come from behind to force a 2-2 draw in two hours of football.
The Rockets scored two goals in a space of four minutes on their march to the quarter-finals of the competition as Sphiwe Mahlangu broke the deadlock when he beat Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse 12 minutes into the game. Four minutes later, Mlungisi Mbunjana made it 2-0.
The Tshwane giants pulled one back through Marcelo Allende in the 58th minute and Gaston Sirino equalised for the Brazilians in referee’s added time.
Sundowns ended the match with 10 players after Bongani Zungu was red carded by referee Masixole Bambiso in the 60th minute following a horrendous tackle, which broke Bernard Parker’s leg.
