Young Brazilians close in on NPL promotion

REHOBOTH, 24 JUN  – Young Brazilians from Karasburg are well poised to win the Southern Stream First Division Inland Stream after hammering Ramblers 5-2 on Saturday to leave them needing only one point to win the stream.
In a match played at the Karasburg Combined School Stadium, Young Brazilians started like a house on fire and took the lead within the first 30 seconds after kick-off through a Revered Matroos goal to leave the visitors shell-shocked.
The home team pressed for another goal and their persistence paid off in the third minute after Bernatu Cloete stretched Young Brazilians’ lead to 2-0.
Things went from bad to worse for Rammies as Vincentius Jobs hit the target in the 10th minute and made the score 3-0 in favour of the men in red.
Another goal came soon thereafter in the 30th minute through Reginald Vries to make the score 4-0.
Just before the halftime whistle in the 43rd minute, Ramblers scored one goal through George Haikali to reduce the deficit.
The halftime whistle came like a rescue for Rammies, with the score at 4-1.
Immediately after the break, Young Brazilians added their fifth goal of the match through Randall Thomas and put the game beyond Ramblers’ reach and one foot in the SSFD play-off spot for a berth in the Namibia Premier League, provided they win their play-off game against the Coastal Stream winners.
Just before the final whistle in the 86th minute, Ramblers pulled a late consolation goal back, with Haikali coming through with his second of the match.
Young Brazilians coach, Tolla Julius told Nampa on Saturday that they decided to press from the start and keep up the pressure throughout the match.
“The game plan was simple. We press and score as many goals as possible to improve our goal difference and make things easier for us in the next game where we only need a point to win the Inland Stream. The players know what is at stake and stick to our game plan,” Julius said.
Young Brazilians will face Rebels on Sunday at 12h00 in Karasburg in their final game.
He said they will not be complacent in their next game and will go full out to collect three points.
Young Brazilians are now on 20 points, three more than Windhoek United who will play already relegated Sport Klub Windhoek on Sunday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 10h00.
In another Inland Stream match played in Keetmanshoop on Saturday, Rebels stunned home team Try Again 3-0 and moved above Ramblers in third place with 12 points.
Ramblers are now third with 9 points, with Try Again in fifth place also with 9 points and an inferior goal difference.

NAMPA