Posted in News, Team News on Aug 31, 2018.
“We are scoring a lot of goals, but we must close the game,” remarks Leonardo Castro, while reflecting on Bloemfontein Celtic’s comeback to book a 2-2 draw after Kaizer Chiefs were two goals up. “It teaches us a lesson for Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final clash against SuperSport United. We need to play an attacking game and ultimately win. However, we do need to focus on our defence and concentration.”
The Colombian striker has been in great form this season, having already scored three goals and providing two assists. His partner up-front Khama Billiat has the same figures. “We know each other from the time we played at Mamelodi Sundowns,” Castro comments. “We just look each other in the eye and then we instantly know where to provide the ball.”
Chiefs have scored ten goals in the seven games played so far (five league, two cup matches), but also conceded nine times. “Last year we struggled to find the back of the net,” says the 29-year-old forward, who scored three goals last season after joining Amakhosi in January 2018. “The arrival of Billiat is a big influence to help us score more.
“However, we need to read the game better. We can’t concede the way we did against Celtic and in some of the other matches. Conceding more goals is not necessarily the price of playing attacking football. We just need to be more focussed and get the moment right when to press high on the pitch and when not.”
Castro admits that it won’t be easy to play the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final only three days after having had a disappointing league match against Bloemfontein Celtic. “It means that there is no real time to recover for what is a crucial cup game. We are after all just human beings and as such have our limitations.”
Still, the Colombian feels confident that Chiefs will progress to the MTN8 final, also because of the 2-2 draw in the first leg which gives the Glamour Boys a slight advantage. “I have won trophies with Sundowns and I now want to win trophies with Kaizer Chiefs,” Castro concludes. “SuperSport United are a strong team and we need to take them serious. We are all aware of the pressure to reach the final, but we know how to handle that. We are ready.”
Chiefs host the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 1 September. Kick-off is at 20:15.
The tickets cost R15 for children and R60 for adults.
TicketPro outlets are found at Edgars, JET, Spar and CNA stores nationwide or check their website for a full list of outlets, www.ticketpro.co.za
Parking is free opposite gate M.
The Kaizer Chiefs Retail store and our meet and greet station are located at gate K at FNB Stadium, while entrance is through gate E and M.
The Colombian striker has been in great form this season, having already scored three goals and providing two assists. His partner up-front Khama Billiat has the same figures. “We know each other from the time we played at Mamelodi Sundowns,” Castro comments. “We just look each other in the eye and then we instantly know where to provide the ball.”
Chiefs have scored ten goals in the seven games played so far (five league, two cup matches), but also conceded nine times. “Last year we struggled to find the back of the net,” says the 29-year-old forward, who scored three goals last season after joining Amakhosi in January 2018. “The arrival of Billiat is a big influence to help us score more.
“However, we need to read the game better. We can’t concede the way we did against Celtic and in some of the other matches. Conceding more goals is not necessarily the price of playing attacking football. We just need to be more focussed and get the moment right when to press high on the pitch and when not.”
Castro admits that it won’t be easy to play the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final only three days after having had a disappointing league match against Bloemfontein Celtic. “It means that there is no real time to recover for what is a crucial cup game. We are after all just human beings and as such have our limitations.”
Still, the Colombian feels confident that Chiefs will progress to the MTN8 final, also because of the 2-2 draw in the first leg which gives the Glamour Boys a slight advantage. “I have won trophies with Sundowns and I now want to win trophies with Kaizer Chiefs,” Castro concludes. “SuperSport United are a strong team and we need to take them serious. We are all aware of the pressure to reach the final, but we know how to handle that. We are ready.”
Chiefs host the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 1 September. Kick-off is at 20:15.
The tickets cost R15 for children and R60 for adults.
TicketPro outlets are found at Edgars, JET, Spar and CNA stores nationwide or check their website for a full list of outlets, www.ticketpro.co.za
Parking is free opposite gate M.
The Kaizer Chiefs Retail store and our meet and greet station are located at gate K at FNB Stadium, while entrance is through gate E and M.
