Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes SuperSport United were below par in the first half of their game on Friday, but was impressed with how they fought back.
The Eagles took a quick 4-0 lead in the first half of the Cape Town Cup semi-final against Matsatsantsa on Friday evening, but were unable to add to their advantage as SuperSport came out fighting in the second period.
"The standard of the opposition was probably below where they wanted to be in the first half, but in the second they did well and should have scored at least one goal," Pardew told Crystal Palace's official website.
The Eagles took a quick 4-0 lead in the first half of the Cape Town Cup semi-final against Matsatsantsa on Friday evening, but were unable to add to their advantage as SuperSport came out fighting in the second period.
"The standard of the opposition was probably below where they wanted to be in the first half, but in the second they did well and should have scored at least one goal," Pardew told Crystal Palace's official website.
"They were the better side in the second half and they can take some confidence from that. They made it much more difficult for us and it became a much more even affair.
"I think the athleticism of South African players is there, as well as the physical side of the game, but the technical and tactical areas are what they need to improve on.
"But in the second half I felt the coach did a good job because 4-0 down at half-time is tough going, but he got his team in a good place so he needs a pat on the back for what they did against a Premier League team.
"We have players with experience of different levels and that's going to show. When you're in big games you know how to cope with the opposition and that's where the step for SuperSport is next," Pardew concluded.
Palace went on to lose the final of the tournament 2-0 to Portuguese side Sporting CP on Sunday.
"I think the athleticism of South African players is there, as well as the physical side of the game, but the technical and tactical areas are what they need to improve on.
"But in the second half I felt the coach did a good job because 4-0 down at half-time is tough going, but he got his team in a good place so he needs a pat on the back for what they did against a Premier League team.
"We have players with experience of different levels and that's going to show. When you're in big games you know how to cope with the opposition and that's where the step for SuperSport is next," Pardew concluded.
Palace went on to lose the final of the tournament 2-0 to Portuguese side Sporting CP on Sunday.
By: Farai Diza
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