17 January 2015 - Amajita stand in coach David Notoane said finishing remain South African teams’ biggest Achilles’ heel after the Men’s U/20 National team were held to a 1-1 draw by Lithuania in a match they completely dominated on Saturday afternoon, here in St Petersburg, Russia.
This was Amajita’s opening match in the Commonwealth Cup in which they are the first African team to participate in the annual tournament meant mostly for the former Soviet Union countries.
Watching from the stands was South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Dr Danny Jordaan who attended the opening ceremony on Friday which was opened by veteran FIFA President, Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter.
This was Amajita’s opening match in the Commonwealth Cup in which they are the first African team to participate in the annual tournament meant mostly for the former Soviet Union countries.
Watching from the stands was South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Dr Danny Jordaan who attended the opening ceremony on Friday which was opened by veteran FIFA President, Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter.
“With the way my team dominated the encounter, I will consider a draw as two points dropped as opposed to winning a single point,” Notoane told a post-match press conference.
“But in any opening match, one would take a point than lose the match. We should come back a more ruthless side when we take on Tajikistan on Sunday. Finishing is something I will instruct my boys to do for Sunday’s game,” he added. “We scored the opening goal and instead of going for the kill, went to sleep and we were duly made to pay a hefty price.”
Lithuania head coach Narbekovas Arminas said he was stunned and impressed by South Africa’s one-two touches and speed on and off the ball adding the Africans might be the team to beat in this tournament.
“I had never seen them in action before but boy, they are a delight to watch on and off the ball. They are so gifted and comfortable and I think my team was lucky to escape with a point,” he admitted.
The SAFA President who showered with praise the Russian 2018 World Cup organising committee for a job well done said he was impressed by the U/20 showing although, like most of the critics, thought Amajita should have killed the match in the first 45 minutes.
“They will improve as the tournament progresses. The showed some really glimpses of quality although matches are counted by goals scored. But I am very hopeful goals will come and I want to wish them well,” said the SAFA boss before flying off to Equatorial Guinea where he is part of the local Organising Committee.
“But in any opening match, one would take a point than lose the match. We should come back a more ruthless side when we take on Tajikistan on Sunday. Finishing is something I will instruct my boys to do for Sunday’s game,” he added. “We scored the opening goal and instead of going for the kill, went to sleep and we were duly made to pay a hefty price.”
Lithuania head coach Narbekovas Arminas said he was stunned and impressed by South Africa’s one-two touches and speed on and off the ball adding the Africans might be the team to beat in this tournament.
“I had never seen them in action before but boy, they are a delight to watch on and off the ball. They are so gifted and comfortable and I think my team was lucky to escape with a point,” he admitted.
The SAFA President who showered with praise the Russian 2018 World Cup organising committee for a job well done said he was impressed by the U/20 showing although, like most of the critics, thought Amajita should have killed the match in the first 45 minutes.
“They will improve as the tournament progresses. The showed some really glimpses of quality although matches are counted by goals scored. But I am very hopeful goals will come and I want to wish them well,” said the SAFA boss before flying off to Equatorial Guinea where he is part of the local Organising Committee.
By: Editor
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