Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) thrashed Lioli 1-0 in Vodacom Premier League (VPL) encounter at Ha-Ratjomose ground on Sunday.
However, the LMPS seemed to be lazy to collects points in previous games against Bantu where Bantu slapped them 3-0. They seemed to go slowly in the other games, but the last game with Lioli they leveled their efforts and beat Lioli.
LMPS was a completely different team in the current match, with different game approach and tactics as it was extremely organized on all departments in the pitch.
Lioli dominated the ball position in the first 15 minutes of the first half. Lioli FC central defenders, Tieho Ntulo and Sbusiso Sikhakhane were starting the play from the back and organizing the whole team when in possession and out of possession through a harsh good communication that enabled them to be more energetic and reactive.
LMPS was using 4-3-3 formation which adds more numbers in the striking area. As the match goes on in the first 20 minutes LMPS was dominating the midfield and that gave them a good opportunity to great more chances for a goal. LMPS made so many attempts by shooting from long range. Having a former Matlama defensive midfielder, Kefuoe Mahula as right winger made it hard for Lioli defender, Basia Letuka to mark and play because Mahula was not giving him enough space to start the play from the back hence Mahula received most of the balls behind Lioli defense. Thus that allowed Mahula to look dangerous with his through passes, making deep square crosses and tick-tack short passes which seemed to break the shape of Lioli.
Tsoarelo Mokoaleli scored a leading score on the first 40 minutes, and that gave the LMPS more opportunity to score more because they were motivated. Because Lioli was beaten, they calmed down and get demotivated, and that leveled down their performance in the square.