Despite the defeat, Orlando Pirates produced another encouraging display, dominating possession for long periods before late goals at either end settled the contest. Thalente Mbatha and Yanela Mbuthuma were on target for the Buccaneers.
ORLANDO PIRATES DOMINATE BUT TRAIL
Orlando Pirates made a confident start, controlling possession and moving the ball with speed and intensity. The Buccaneers also impressed with their aggressive counter-pressing, winning the ball back almost immediately after losing it.
However, Al-Ittihad struck first in the 10th minute when Youssef En-Nesyri met a cross from the left with a superb diving header after Nkosinathi Sibisi failed to get tight enough and Yanga Seema was caught out of position.
The Buccaneers responded positively and continued to dominate the ball. Oswin Appollis tested the goalkeeper with a volley in the 22nd minute before Seema surged forward two minutes later to create a glorious opportunity for Tshegofatso Moremi, whose effort was blocked.
Their pressure paid off in the 26th minute. Appollis beat his marker before finding Patrick Maswanganyi, who laid the ball into the path of Mbatha. The midfielder drilled a low strike into the bottom corner to level the scores at 1-1.
Orlando Pirates continued to open up the Al-Ittihad defence with slick combination play involving Appollis, Maswanganyi and Moremi, who thought he had completed the move with a fine finish before the offside flag denied him.
The Saudi side regained the lead on the stroke of half-time. Moussa Diaby was left completely unmarked at the far post after the Pirates defence shifted across to the opposite side, allowing him to finish and make it 2-1.
AL-ITTIHAD PUNISH PIRATES
Ouaddou introduced Simphiwe Selepe, Abdoulaye Mariko and Bohlale Ngwato at the break in place of Tshepo Nduli, Mbatha and Appollis, but Pirates maintained their dominance after the restart.
Moremi came within inches of equalising in the 47th minute, only for the goalkeeper to deny him with an excellent save using his foot. Al-Ittihad created little but forced Sipho Chaine into a brilliant save with a fierce effort just after the hour mark.
Ouaddou then made wholesale changes in the 63rd minute, introducing fresh legs as Melusi Dladla, Sbangani Zulu, Tapelo Xoki and several other substitutes entered the contest.
The Buccaneers continued to produce attractive attacking football but lacked the clinical edge in front of goal. They were punished again in the 84th minute when Elye Wahi Ilenikhena slipped behind Zulu before driving into the channel and firing a powerful left-footed strike into the net for 3-1.
Pirates grabbed a late consolation in stoppage time as Padime delivered an early cross that Yanela Mbuthuma converted from close range, but it was not enough to prevent their unbeaten pre-season run from coming to an end.
