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South African star Thembinkosi Lorch may have been on the losing end as Wydad lost to Man City at Club World Cup but he left an impression that has earned him worldwide praise.
Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club may have lost their FIFA Club World Cup opener to Manchester City but one of their players left a lasting mark.
Wydad started their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 loss to the Premier League giants who scored both goals early and late in the first half, Phil Foden breaking the deadlock after two minutes before Jeremy Doku added the second one in the 42nd minute.
However, throughout the match, South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch stood out for his class and brave performance against one of the world’s best teams.
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Lorch was unfazed with the occasion or opponent as he started by attempting an audacious chip over City goalkeeper Ederson in the 15th minute.
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Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, the former Orlando Pirates star floated in the ball from the middle of the pitch and nearly caught Ederson napping as the goalkeeper recovered just in time to catch the ball.
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Lorch then had another attempt in the 44th minute when he found some little space and unleashed a shot that went just wide, coming after he had made inroads in and around the City box on a number of occasions.
In the second half, Lorch went on the attack again, when he received a precise low pass and made a yard for himself on the edge of the box, but his poorly placed shot sailed well wide of the right post.
That was in the 47th minute and just past the hour mark, Lorch swung in a dangerous cross from the resulting corner kick, but none of his teammates managed to outjump the defence.
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Lorch’s final act came 11 minutes from time when he attempted to find his team-mate with a pass from outside the box, but the opposition's defence was quick to react and thwart the attack, leading to a corner.
That class performance from Lorch, who is on a season-long loan at Wydad from Mamelodi Sundowns, earned the midfielder praise back home and around the continent.
Thembinkosi Lorch’s Display Earns Him Plaudits
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"Overall, he tried his best. He was all over the pitch, being influential, taking shots from long range, and even setting up Cassius in the first half. I think it was just that final product that never came for Wydad," former South Africa international Shaun Bartlett said on SuperSport TV.
Bongani Khumalo, another ex-Bafana Bafana star said: "Wonderful start from him. He truly is an important player for Wydad. If he stays fit, I think his coach was saving his legs for the next fixture for him to go for it.”
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Overall, Lorch completed all his three dribbles, won five duels, had 40 touches, seven in the opposition box, and to show how impressive he was, the 31-year-old was the most viewed profile on the Transfermarkt.
Wydad take on Italian giants Juventus in their next match on Sunday and Lorch will hope to play a starring role again.
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