Football

1st XI Football Team
1st XI Football Team

Kloof Tournament:
The DHS side went into the Kloof Tournament with expectations of improving on their 2018 showing, having been together for a longer period of time in preparation. Pitted in a tough group with Pietermaritzburg powerhouse, Alex High, South Coast’s No 1 school, Port Shepstone and, although an unknown quantity at start of the tournament, would become known as one of the best to ever take part, Ndegetho High.
DHS were impressive against Ndegetho in their opening game winning 2-0, however, they showed their fallibility and inconsistency in a loss to Port Shepstone High 1-0. A 2-1 win against Alex High put them through to the main section where they would face Kingsway High.
After totally dominating the match for 99% of the game and leading 1-0, with only 30 seconds left to play, they lost concentration at the final kick of the game and allowed Kingsway to score from a corner sending the game to penalties. After saving Kingsway’s 1st penalty DHS went on to miss their 4th and 5th to lose disappointingly and drop into the plate section.
They dominated the plate section winning it comfortably with wins against Pinetown 2-0, Northwood 1-0, and Empangeni 1-0.
Kyle Thyssen was the team’s top goal scorer with 4 goals and Josh Reddy was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Primo League Tournament:
DHS 1st side took part in the inaugural PRIMO League tournament this past weekend up in Pietermarizburg. The tournament brought together the Top 8 schools in KZN for a though high quality event played over two days.
Their group was a tough one, with Kloof tournament semi-finalists Clifton College, the always physical Kearsney College and Raw Cup rivals Maritzburg College. They eased through the group with 2-1 and 1-0 wins over Clifton and Kearsney respectively and, despite following that up with an unlucky 1-0 loss to College, while resting players they cruised into the quarter finals to play Michaelhouse.
They dominated the game against a good Michaelhouse side, winning 3-0, which set up a huge clash against a very talented local Durban rival, Glenwood High. Despite performing well and having the better chances they ended up losing to a late goal after a defensive error.
It was a successful tournament none the less, with two players Josh Reddy and Sph Mthembu both making the tournament side. Sphe was top goal scorer at the event and Josh was offered a bursary to the Sharks Academy for his performance.
vs Michaelhouse
Wednesday 24 July saw the meeting of two fierce soccer school rivals Michaelhouse vs DHS, up at Michaelhouse. They had previously played each other two weeks previously at the Big 8 Soccer tournament where DHS came out on top with a resounding 3-0 victory. This promised to be a different encounter though, as Michaelhouse now had all their soccer players available and not on winter break.
The first half was an intriguing affair, with DHS controlling most of the possession of the ball but failing to put in clear shots on target. Michaelhouse seemed to rely on defending deep and trying to create any scoring opportunities via counter attacks that would be launched by long balls to their pacy wingers or lone striker. DHS continued to apply pressure by combining well with their passes and stretching the opposition by passing the ball well horizontally across the field. All of School’s endeavours led to a goad at 28 minutes when Kyle Thyssen used his speed and trickery to go around the outside of the Michaelhouse fullback and cross a low ball to the backpost for oncoming Andile Langazane who then slotted the ball home. End of the first half 1-0 to DHS.
The 2nd half continued on the same path as the first, with DHS controlling the ball possession and Michaelhouse intent on playing the transitions. The equalizer from the boys from Balgowan came in the 49 minute after winning a free kick deep in DHS’ half and heading it home. The linesman’s flag stayed down for Michaelhouse’s second goal which gave them the lead with only 5 minutes to go.
The boys from DHS fought valiantly away from home in a cold and hostile environment, not giving up and scoring a last minute equalizer that came again from a Kyle Thyssen assist and a good finish from Samayien Naidoo, to end the game in a well-deserved draw away from home.
DHS play St Charles next on 3 August.
 
Steve Bezuidenhout
Head of Football

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