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'Downs deserve more credit'

JOHAN Neeskens has pointed out the positives he believes many have chosen to ignore in their criticism of Mamelodi Sundowns.

And it is those positives that the Sundowns coach hopes will be reflected in his team's performance when the Tshwane giants battle Bloemfontein Celtic for Telkom Knockout Challenge glory in Durban on Saturday.

Despite poor results, Neeskens reckons the team have been playing well and he has expressed great confidence that Sundowns' barren run of four years without major silverware will come to an end.

"I've been happy with the performance of the team and I think we will continue to play with lots of confidence if we win the cup," said Neeskens.

"You've got to give a little more credit to this club and the team. They reached two cup finals in seven months.

"The last time they reached a final before the Nedbank Cup in May was a long time ago. We were unlucky in the Nedbank in that we had to play with 10 men for long periods.

"So not everything is that negative as I've read in the papers in the past weeks or months. You also have to see the positives; not many teams reach two cup finals in seven months. Even though we've lost many games early on, I've seen improvements in this team."

It is, however, worth noting that Sundowns have won only four cup finals in 16 appearances in deciders since 1992.

They lost bitterly to Kaizer Chiefs in the same tournament in 2007, despite being overwhelming favourites to capture the R4.25-million trophy.

"In the final only one team can win. Let it be the team that deserves it more and hopefully we become that team," Neeskens said.

There has been pressure on the team to win a cup, particularly on star player and skipper Teko Modise, who is yet to win a major trophy, apart from individual accolades in a professional career spanning 11 years.

"There is no more pressure than there was before. It's a cup final and we are excited. Everybody should be excited to play in the final. If you play in the final, you like to win the final," Neeskens said.

"Yes of course, in football things happen that may cost a game. perhaps (you) miss opportunities that (you) shouldn't have. But all that belongs in a game."

Asked if he was feeling nervous as the clock ticks towards to the big match, he retorted: "I don't get nervous. I've been in the game for long. And I know this game is about winning and losing. I hope for the club and the players that we win. Of course I also want to win."

Having rested his trusted men, including Modise and fellow midfielder Laffor in their last league match against Bloemfontein Celtic, Neeskens will have all his players available.

"I have a lot of options. You'll see them in the final."

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