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KNYSNA SOCCER NEWS - The final of the ANC Knockout Tournament was one of two halves, with Smuts United and CX Swallows battling it out till the very end, and the final only being decided on penalties.
The tournament, co-hosted by the Knysna Local Football Association (KLFA) and the ANC, featured 26 soccer sides that typically battle it out in the KLFA structures, where every match was a must-win for each side.
It kicked off with four games on Friday 8 November, when Smuts United received a walkover victory against CX Celtics while African Eagles beat Young Chiefs, Pine Stars beat Crossroad and CX United beat Eleven Attackers.
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There would be 14 more round-robin knockout games played on Saturday and Sunday 9 and 10 November, with the quarterfinals played on Sunday. Smuts United would beat African Eagles 4-1, Flamingo would beat Pine Stars 6-1, CX Swallows would beat Young Strikers 3-0, with Young Boys beating Red Eagles 2-1 in the fourth quarterfinal.
Smuts United would face Flamingo while CX Swallows would face Young Boys in the semifinals, which were played on Loerie Park on Sunday 17 November. It would be two tense semifinals, as both would have to go to penalty shootouts. Smuts United would defeat Flamingo 4-3 on penalties after going 0-0 in open play, while CX Swallows would beat Young Boys 5-3 on penalties after going 1-1 in open play.
This set up an enticing final between Smuts United and CX Swallows, with the former taking the latter by storm in the first half by dominating the opening exchanges. Smuts United were presented with opportunity after opportunity, but were only able to bury two of their chances, with the first coming courtesy of a mistake from the Swallows keeper while the second came from a well-worked corner. This sent the game into halftime at 2-0 to the men from Smutsville.
CX Swallows would outperform themselves to rally back in the second half, bagging two hard-earned goals to put the game back into balance at 2-2. When the final whistle blew the game went into extra time, which could also not separate the two sides, meaning it would be the third penalty shootout of the day for spectators. Smuts United would hold their nerve and see themselves beat Swallows 4-3 on penalties to walk away with top prize.
Azukile Sokunentse tries to control the ball while under pressure from Smuts United's Ashley Melite.
The match officials for the final: assistant referee Billabong Dondolo, referee Tau Joe, 4th official Nigel Pietersen, and assistant referee Luvuyo Ngcaca.
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