VODACOM FINAL - PIRATES 0 SPURS 3

The Vodacom Challenge trophy leaves Africa for the first time tonight after Orlando Pirates were put to the sword in a scintillating first half display at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Three goals in 21 opening half minutes effectively finished the game as a contest, with Darren Bent netting two of them to make it four goals in as many pre-season starts. His partner in attack Dimitar Berbatov netted the other with a direct assist from our striking signing.

Paul Robinson, Michael Dawson, Steed Malbranque, Didier Zokora and Berbatov returned to the starting line-up for the conclusion of our South African journey in Pretoria.

There was once again great fervour at the home of Rugby Union side Blou Bulls, the Super 14 winners and wearing our blue change strip we got the better of the early stages and a Pascal Chimbonda cross caused some alarm in the Pirates defences, but Bent was unable to make a headed connection. He moments later narrowly failed to take advantage when the bounce deceived Destin Makita, but also proved a little tricky for the striker.

There was a scare at the other end when a Paul Stalteri pass was intercepted by Lucky Lekgwathi, who went on to play a one-two with Lebohang Mokoena before blasting off target.

Attention quickly switched back to the end Pirates were defending and Bent forced a fine one-handed save from Francis Chansa. From the resulting corner lines were not cleared and the ball fell to Bent around ten yards out and he literally ripped the ball home off the bar to make it 1-0 on ten minutes.

Pascal Chimbonda headed just over from an Adel Taarabt corner and moments later shot narrowly off target after combining with Berbatov.

It was only a temporary reprieve for Pirates. Bent dispossessed Makita inside the area and rolled the ball across for Berbatov to apply a simple finish on 18 minutes. In what was almost non-stop attacking, Bent then went on to strike an upright.

A third quickly came and it was a result of superb interchange between Bent and Adel Taarabt, the 18-year-old flicking back in the direction of the forward who then dragged the ball past his marker and stroked into the net with only 22 minutes on the clock.

Bent came close to registering a hat-trick when he sprinted on to a Chimbonda ball down the right and expertly lofted the ball over the goalkeeper, but it bounced agonisingly just a couple of inches wide of the far post.

The boys were putting on the style and this is clearly a strikeforce to be reckoned with - Berbatov oozing his customary class and Bent pacy and clever playing off of him.

Bennet Chenene - who scored the goal that took Pirates to the final - came close to adding to his tally and reducing the deficit just after the half hour mark, shooting just wide of the top right hand corner, with Pirates not simply intent on damage limitation and creating a few further half chances ahead of the interval.

There was changes after the break with Jermaine Jenas taking over from Zokora, Jermain Defoe replacing Bent and Wayne Routledge for Taarabt.

Pirates continued in the lively fashion in which they concluded the first half, but could not deliver an end product, while Defoe was a waspish presence in and around the Buccaneers' back line.

Robbie Keane made his entrance for Tom Huddlestone on 57 minutes, just before substitute Jorry Merahe forced Robinson into his first significant save at full stretch. A Berbatov free-kick kept Chansa on his toes at the other end.

He was nearly caught out, however, by his own player with 20 minutes left on the clock when a teasing Malbranque cross in the direction of Defoe was sliced just past the post by Makita.

It signalled the end of Berbatov's afternoon and the beginning of Teemu Tainio's pre-season. The next goal chance came with with 11 minutes left when Jenas brilliantly teased the ball into the path of Defoe, but Chansa advanced speedily to foil.

Jacques Maghoma then got his first taste of tour action when he took over from the industrious Malbranque. The tempo may have eased up a little in the second half, but it was a case of job done and a trophy in our luggage.

Pirates 1 Spurs 2

Our Vodacom Challenge campaign continued in Cape Town with a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates.

It was a reverse of the scoreline on our last visit in 2003 and goals from Darren Bent and Wayne Routledge made the difference, although Pirates did reduce the deficit with a three-times taken penalty five minutes from time.

Just three players who started our opening game against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday were on duty at the beginning of the encounter with Orlando Pirates - Younes Kaboul, although he only lasted a few minutes in Durban, Jermaine Jenas and Wayne Routledge were retained. Paul Stalteri and Pascal Chimbonda got their first action of the pre-season period, while the strike pairing was Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent.

Like in Durban, there was a sizzling atmosphere inside the Newlands Stadium with even the players warming up signalling an increase in the volume.

The game was lively from the off on a cool evening after a day of torrential rain and it took just 12 minutes for Bent to add to his pre-season account. Tom Huddlestone pulled the strings with a flighted throughball that found the striker in the clear and our close season recruit calmly lofted the ball over Francis Chansa in the Pirates' goal and it was quickly nestling in the back of the net.

Pirates responded by forcing Radek Cerny into his first save of the game when Josephy Kamwendo tried his luck from distance before a Routledge cross just evaded the lunge of Defoe at the far post.

On 25 minutes though it looked like an equaliser was about to arrive when Lebohang Mokoena sprinted clear with just Cerny to beat. The goalkeeper saved, but the ball ran loose and the striker was offered a second bite, this time blasting high and wide.

Just after the half hour mark, Kaboul, who was impressing with defensive solidity, showed that he has a mean shot on him too. A Huddlestone free-kick was rolled in his direction and the central defender blasted in a shot that rattled the outside of the right hand upright with Chansa beaten all ends up.

Taarabt then took aim from a little further out and forced the chest of Chansa into a vital block before Bent turned provider for Huddlestone, who could not find the target from around ten yards.

Mokoena blasted a cross into the path of Joseph Makhanya in the opening moments of the second half, causing a degree of confusion with no ultimate danger.

Captain for the night Jenas - very much the conductor in midfield - teed up Huddlestone for a shot that Chansa did well to field and then the pass-master Huddlestone picked out a sublime defence dissecting throughball to set Bent on the run again. He beat the keeper once more, but on this occasion Destin Makita dropped deep to clear off the line.

There was a sweet passage of passing and movement on 69 minutes when Taarabt and Jenas combined to pick out Routledge inside the area and the winger applied an instant touch into the path of the advanced Taarabt, who blasted goalwards, but didn't quite find the target.

It marked the end of Taarabt's night as he was replaced by Jamie O'Hara, with Jenas making way for Steed Malbranque. A further goal was probably deserved but was proving to be elusive as the clock ticked towards full-time.

Cerny produced a fine save to preserve our advantage ten minutes from time, palming out a free-kick from Ralph Matema. Bennet Chenane headed back across goal presenting Rudzani Ramudzuli with an opportunity in front of goal that was blazed over.

Cerny saved again in spectacular fashion before Malbranque strode forward and crossed low for Routledge to drill home and double the advantage.

There followed big drama at the other end when Chimbonda fouled inside the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Matema's spot-kick was saved by Cerny but a re-take was ordered and this time Josephy Kamwendo stepped up and Cerny saved again.

Another re-take was ordered and Kamwendo did manage to find the net with ten minutes remaining, but victory was banked and it is now on to the final in Pretoria.

Pirates: Francis Chansa, 14 Lucky Lekgwathi, 28 Destin Makita, 17 Lehlohonolo Seema, 19 Innocent Mdledle, Mlingisi Gumbi, 7 Josephy Kamwendo, 24 Joseph Makhanya (20 Ramudzuli, 62), 11 Bennet Chenene, 23 Lebohang Mokoena (Teferra, 69), 36 Ralph Matema (Walaza, 80). Subs: Senzo Meyiwa, Tonic Chabalala, Linda Mkhwanazi, Luntu Mazana, Bheki Mlambo, Jorry Merahe, Tlou Segolela, Tebogo Mashaba, Manuel Bucuane.

Spurs: Cerny, Chimbonda, Stalteri, Kaboul, Gardner, Routledge, Jenas (O'Hara, 69), Huddlestone, Taarabt (Malbranque, 69), Bent, Defoe. Subs: Robinson, Dawson, Rocha, Daniels, Maghoma, Zokora, Keane.

CHIEFS 1 SPURS 2

Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov got our Vodacom Challenge campaign off to a winning start with the goals that secured a 2-1 victory over the Kaizer Chiefs.

Chiefs did level just after the interval through Shaun Bartlett, but the introduction of his former teammate Darren Bent proved to be influential in the outcome. The new signing making a powerful, driving run and unselfishly rolled the ball into the path of Berbatov to apply the finishing touch.

The afternoon of Younes Kaboul did not get off to the best of starts when he was clattered by the boot of Shaun Bartlett by accident in the opening couple of minutes. It meant a quick entry for Anthony Gardner.

It was a cool winter afternoon in Durban, perfect football weather coupled with an inspiring atmosphere inside the ABSA Stadium, with the noise instantly doubling every time Chiefs took possession.

The game itself was a bit slow to get going and neither side really established a foothold in the encounter in the first ten minutes, with both defences and goalkeepers not being put under particular examination.

The din inside the stadium really cranked up on 15 minutes when Mabhuti Khanyeza had the first shot of the game. It was a wayward effort that Paul Robinson was able to wave away from the moment it left the boot of the striker, but it certainly bought the Chiefs' superb support to their feet.

South Africa's most popular team were having the better of the exchanges towards the midway point of the half, while there was frustration from Robbie Keane over offside decisions going against him that led to the captain being booked by referee Wilson Mpanisi.

Khanyeza put in another shot that was deflected away by Michael Dawson before Thabo Mooki failed to capitalise on a free-kick from the edge of the area.

Our first opening was carved out seven minutes before the break when Keane drifted in from the left flank and teased in an inviting cross that resulted in a glancing header from Dimitar Berbatov that flashed just wide of the upright.

A minute later Keane saw to it that his name was first on the scoresheet when he profited from a fair degree of uncertainty in the Chiefs' defence, who stood still waiting for a flag with the striker in possession from around penalty spot distance. Goalkeeper Emile Baron did quickly advance, but Keane flicked the ball over his head and into an empty net.

It was Keane's third goal in as many pre-season friendly games so far.

The Chiefs' response came five minutes into the second half when Onismor Bhasera sped down the left and fizzed in a cross that Bartlett was able to connect with ahead of the advanced Robinson and Gardner. The score was levelled and the ABSA Stadium erupted, a sea of gold shirts rising like a wave.

Robinson was back in action soon afterwards, diverting another Bhasera cross that was looking goalbound over the crossbar.

The advantage was restored just after the hour mark when substitute Darren Bent darted down the left channel, speeding clear of his marker and looking set to shoot, before opting to square and present Berbatov with the opportunity to tap into an empty net. The Bulgarian duly opened his account for pre-season in his first game of the preparation period.

Chiefs pressed for an equaliser and there were one or two scary moments, but the boys pretty much retained overall control of the match and were relatively comfortable in getting through to the final whistle without too many alerts. Cape Town and the Orlando Pirates next.

Kaizer Chiefs: Baron, Tau, Bhasera, Mayo, Nzama, Spencer (Nengomasha, 61), Mooki, Ngobese (Thasabala, 72), Zwane (Phala, 72), Bartlett (Djiehoua, 77), Khenyeza. Subs: Bocsker, Sibeko, Mototo, Bulu, Mathebula.

Spurs: Robinson, Ifil (Daniels, 78), Rocha, Kaboul, Dawson, Routledge (Bent, 57), Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Berbatov (Taarabt, 83)), Keane. Subs: Cerny, Gardner, Maghoma, O'Hara.

ST PATRICK'S 0 SPURS 1

Gareth Bale and Younes Kaboul made their debuts as home-town hero Robbie Keane bagged the winner against eircom League side St Patrick's in Dublin on Thursday night.

As Bale and Kaboul pulled on the shirt for the first time, another of our new boys Darren Bent was paired up front again with Keane having both registered against Stevenage in our first friendly of the summer on Saturday. Didier Zokora appeared for the first time in pre-season alongside Danny Murphy in the centre of our midfield.

Another of our recent permanent additions Adel Taarabt was the man at the centre of the action early on, laying chances on for Steed Malbranque and Bale, before bursting forward after 14 minutes to play in Keane who turned and his shot was held by goalkeeper Barry Ryan.

The St Patrick’s shotstopper was again on hand to deny Bent moments later from Murphy’s through pass, as well as using his legs to good effect to block a Bale goalbound effort, tipping a Taarabt low drive behind and keeping Bent at bay again all in the opening 20 minutes.

Chances were at a premium for St Pats in the opening stages as Kaboul and Anthony Gardner proved difficult to penetrate, with a Mark Quigley deflected volley the only opportunity of note.

It seemed only a matter of time before the deadlock would be broken with Bent, Keane and Bale all calling Ryan into action once more, while Anthony Murphy was forced to clear off the line on 35 minutes when Bent’s dummy from Murphy’s high pass into the box deceived the goalkeeper.

The breakthrough finally came three minutes before half-time, Murphy setting Keane away inside the box on the left before stroking the ball low into the opposite corner of the net to make it two goals in as many pre-season games at a venue that is just one mile away from his birthplace in Tallaght.

Jacques Maghoma replaced Taarabt on the left side of our midfield at the break, while Michael Dawson also came on for his first taste of action since the end of last term in place of Gardner.

The Republic of Ireland side also made changes with five new faces introduced to the fold but the momentum remained with us with Malbranque blasting over after a clever run into the box, while Bent saw a second shot cleared off the line - this time by Stephen Paisley – after Ryan’s replacement Brendan Clarke had been beaten.

Murphy’s contribution to proceedings was brought to an end just before the hour when he was replaced by Jamie O’Hara, while Stephen Quigley came on for St Pats when Colm Foley was stretchered off the field.

Back to the action, as we maintained our push for a second goal with Maghoma having a 20 yard drive palmed away, while Bent and Keane continued to pose problems up front for the Richmond Park side until our recent signing was brought off in favour of Lee Barnard on 69 minutes.

The next notable opportunity did not arrive until the 78th minute when O’Hara stung the hands of Clarke with a shot from outside the box, before Bale was brought off to great applause from the stands as Phil Ifil came on for the final ten.

A low set piece delivery from O’Hara into the path of Keane could have doubled our lead if he had got a proper hold on his shot and Barnard would have marked his first game back from injury with a goal if Clarke had not done well to beat out his header from close range.

St Patrick's Athletic: Ryan (Clarke, 46), Murphy, Rogers (Guy, 46), Paisley (Haverty, 83), Maguire (Frost, 46), Gibson, Brennan, Keane (M Foley, 69), M Quigley (C Foley, 46; S Quigley, 59), Barker (Murphy, 69), Kirby (Mulcahy, 46). Subs: Macek.

Spurs: Cerny, Rocha, Bale (Ifil, 82), Kaboul, Gardner (Dawson , 46), Taarabt (Maghoma, 46), Murphy (O'Hara, 57), Zokora, Malbranque, Bent (Barnard, 69), Keane. Subs: Robinson, Ifil, Daniels.

Friendly : Stevenage 1 Spurs 3

Darren Bent marked the occasion of his first game in our colours with a goal as Stevenage were defeated 3-1 at Broadhall Way in our opening pre-season encounter.

The moment the Spurs fans - in what was a big turn out - were waiting for came just a minute after the interval and the finish was crisp - no doubt the first of many. Robbie Keane and Adel Taarabt scored either side of Bent's debut strike.

Martin Jol fielded his strongest available team from the players who returned to training on Monday at the home of the FA Trophy holders.

Keane and Bent formed the spearhead, but the first shot of the game came from a former Spur, midfielder Stuart Lewis, who left the club earlier this year. Keane did come close to putting an early marker down on the game with a clever flicked effort after good work from Phil Ifil down the right flank. The skipper for the day had another go moments later, blasting over the bar after a good combination with Bent.

Keane did open his pre-season account on 17 minutes via the penalty spot. Bent was about to pounce inside the area after Jamie O'Hara set him free only for another ex-Spur Ronnie Henry to barge him out of the way with considerable and illegal force. Keane made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Alan Julian the wrong way.

Adel Taarabt tried his luck from long-range and tested Julian, before he turned provider and allowed Bent to work the keeper. Henry took Keane's legs away just before the half hour mark, giving the striker the opportunity to hone his set piece work from just outside the area. Julian brilliantly tipping his dipping free-kick over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, Julian was brought into action again when Taarabt surged forward and unleashed a piledriver that was heading straight for the top left hand corner until the keeper's outstretched hand caused a diversion.

It proved to be a big save because three minutes later our advantage was wiped out when Ollie Allen - son of Clive - fended off the challenge of Anthony Gardner and dispatched a shot on the turn past Radek Cerny.

The lead was restored just a minute after the re-start when Rocha swept the ball forward into the path of Bent, who accelerated past his marker and cooly struck past Ross Ketteridge, Stevenage's half time change in goal. It was a clear example of the pace and power possessed by our newest striking recruit.

He should have made it two though a couple of minutes later when he seized on Keane's throughball, but dragged his shot wide. Keane then forced Ketteridge into a fine stop after the impressive Charlie Daniels chipped in with an assist from left full-back.

Keane, Murphy and Malbranque all went close before the lead was extended in a fortunate fashion. Taarabt hit in a no more than hopeful shot from over on the left and Ketteridge went down to gather in what should have been a routine foil. However, the ball slipped through his grasp and ended up in the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Stevenage Borough 1st half: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Lewis, Henry, Gaia, Lawson, Allen, Hakim, Miller, Cole.

2nd half: Ketteridge, Batt (Hadge, 87), Bradshaw, Molesley, Oliver, Eames, Dobson, Sealey, McMahon, Cruise, Arber.

Spurs: Cerny, Ifil (Riley, 87), Daniels (Hughton, 87), Rocha (Mills, 62), Gardner, Murphy (Livermore, 80), Malbranque, O'Hara (Maghoma, 72), Taarabt, Keane, Bent (Barcham, 67). Unused sub: Forecast.