SA under-23 coach Owen da Gama has admitted that he will have to rely on favours elsewhere if Junior Bafana are to reach the quarterfinals of the men’s football tournament at the Rio Olympic Games.
Da Gama’s charges were beaten 1-0 by Denmark at Mane Garrincha Stadium on Monday (South Africa time) in a group match they dominated and had no business losing.
With limping hosts Brazil continuing to disappoint home fans and drawing 0-0 with a stubborn Iraq on the same day‚ Junior Bafana would have put themselves in a very good position had they taken advantage of the many gilt-edged chances they created against the Danes.
Instead the South Africans now have to beat the selfsame Iraq and also hope that leaders Denmark either beat or draw with the punch drunk Brazilians in the final group games on Wednesday.
‘‘It is no longer in our hands and we now have to see how Brazil plays against Denmark‚” Da Gama admitted.
‘‘How we play against Iraq is obviously very important and we have to get a win in that match. It is going to be very‚ very difficult. But we always believe and we always have hope. I thought we were not as strong in the midfield as we normally are.”
The South Africans controlled the game for long periods but could not find the back of the net.
They were denied by the post a couple of times and also found Denmark goalkeeper Jeppe Hojbjerg in an uncompromising mood.
Da Gama tried to find some positives as he surveyed what remains of the wreckage.
‘‘It’s football and we understand that sometimes you can have all the possession and you can create all the chances. I mean we hit the post two times and their goalkeeper also made some fantastic saves.
‘‘But to be fair‚ Denmark created chances as well. They did create chances.
‘‘I think it was not a good day in the office for us. We did not play the normal football that we play. It just reminds me of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney when we beat Brazil (3-1) and then lost to Slovakia in the next game.
‘‘I don't know‚ emotional intelligence on the day‚ the luck‚ its a difficult question. But I am happy that we created the chances.”
Second-half substitute Phumlani Ntshangase‚ who came on for Kwanda Mngonyama‚ said their failure to finish off the Danes when they had them at their mercy proved to be their undoing in the end.
‘‘Us not converting the chances was not good at all because we have got a very strong team‚ a very good team that can play the ball quick and can score goals‚” Ntshangase said.
‘‘But unfortunately today was not on our day. So through Gods grace‚ that is what I can say‚ and we will see what is going to happen in the game and we hope we can play well against Iraq.”
Da Gama said defensive midfielder Mothobi Mvala will return from suspension and take his place when the South Africans face Iraq in their final group match.
Mvala received his marching orders in the opening match against Brazil and Da Gama said they missed him against the Danes.
‘‘Mvala‚ the guy who got the red card against Brazil‚ is our holding midfielder and I think we really missed today. Fortunately he will be back for the next game and we will keep working hard to get it right. But I agree with you we were very poor in the midfield.” - TMG Digital
White-knuckle time for Junior Bafana at the Rio Olympic Games
SA under-23 coach Owen da Gama has admitted that he will have to rely on favours elsewhere if Junior Bafana are to reach the quarterfinals of the men’s football tournament at the Rio Olympic Games.
Da Gama’s charges were beaten 1-0 by Denmark at Mane Garrincha Stadium on Monday (South Africa time) in a group match they dominated and had no business losing.
With limping hosts Brazil continuing to disappoint home fans and drawing 0-0 with a stubborn Iraq on the same day‚ Junior Bafana would have put themselves in a very good position had they taken advantage of the many gilt-edged chances they created against the Danes.
Instead the South Africans now have to beat the selfsame Iraq and also hope that leaders Denmark either beat or draw with the punch drunk Brazilians in the final group games on Wednesday.
‘‘It is no longer in our hands and we now have to see how Brazil plays against Denmark‚” Da Gama admitted.
‘‘How we play against Iraq is obviously very important and we have to get a win in that match. It is going to be very‚ very difficult. But we always believe and we always have hope. I thought we were not as strong in the midfield as we normally are.”
The South Africans controlled the game for long periods but could not find the back of the net.
They were denied by the post a couple of times and also found Denmark goalkeeper Jeppe Hojbjerg in an uncompromising mood.
Da Gama tried to find some positives as he surveyed what remains of the wreckage.
‘‘It’s football and we understand that sometimes you can have all the possession and you can create all the chances. I mean we hit the post two times and their goalkeeper also made some fantastic saves.
‘‘But to be fair‚ Denmark created chances as well. They did create chances.
‘‘I think it was not a good day in the office for us. We did not play the normal football that we play. It just reminds me of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney when we beat Brazil (3-1) and then lost to Slovakia in the next game.
‘‘I don't know‚ emotional intelligence on the day‚ the luck‚ its a difficult question. But I am happy that we created the chances.”
Second-half substitute Phumlani Ntshangase‚ who came on for Kwanda Mngonyama‚ said their failure to finish off the Danes when they had them at their mercy proved to be their undoing in the end.
‘‘Us not converting the chances was not good at all because we have got a very strong team‚ a very good team that can play the ball quick and can score goals‚” Ntshangase said.
‘‘But unfortunately today was not on our day. So through Gods grace‚ that is what I can say‚ and we will see what is going to happen in the game and we hope we can play well against Iraq.”
Da Gama said defensive midfielder Mothobi Mvala will return from suspension and take his place when the South Africans face Iraq in their final group match.
Mvala received his marching orders in the opening match against Brazil and Da Gama said they missed him against the Danes.
‘‘Mvala‚ the guy who got the red card against Brazil‚ is our holding midfielder and I think we really missed today. Fortunately he will be back for the next game and we will keep working hard to get it right. But I agree with you we were very poor in the midfield.” - TMG Digital
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