Posted in News, Team News on Aug 20, 2020.
“From the first whistle, we lacked intensity,” says Ernst Middendorp on his team’s loss to Bloemfontein Celtic. “We really wanted to win this game. We knew it was going to be tough and we talked about it. We wanted to keep the same structure from the team that finished well against Polokwane City in the previous game. We thought it was the best option considering that bar for Leonardo Castro we started with the team that ended well against City.”
Amakhosi went down 3-1 to Phunya Sele Sele on Wednesday night at Tuks Stadium.
“We finished well and at a high tempo against Polokwane City,” adds Middendorp. “We thought this structure would pick up from where we left off against City. But we missed an element of freshness. Individually we did not do well at all. We rushed the ball and circulation thereof was nonexistent.
“We did not manage the ball possession. Our movement off the ball did not work. We planned to stretch them and did not apply that. We will work on composure in the next few days. We had opportunities that we blasted in the sky with the first touch when we could have made the second touch. Generally, we did not get into the game.
Mulomowandau Mathoho scored Chiefs’ goal in the 36th minute and Celtic equalised on the stroke of half time through Motebang Sera.
“Going into the dressing room with 1-1, we made changes trying to introduce some fresh legs,” he points out. “Despite the changes, coming out of the dressing and at a critical phase concede and find ourselves 2-1 down meant it was going to be a matter of chasing the game. Celtic are fighters and they build a good wall at the back.”
“We will have a meeting today to look at these issues,” confirms Middendorp. “We will not press panic buttons. I urge the team not to lose our cool. We will work together to deal with the situation before the next game. We require synergy to approach the next game.”
Chiefs will host Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, 23rd August at Orlando Stadium.
Amakhosi went down 3-1 to Phunya Sele Sele on Wednesday night at Tuks Stadium.
“We finished well and at a high tempo against Polokwane City,” adds Middendorp. “We thought this structure would pick up from where we left off against City. But we missed an element of freshness. Individually we did not do well at all. We rushed the ball and circulation thereof was nonexistent.
“We did not manage the ball possession. Our movement off the ball did not work. We planned to stretch them and did not apply that. We will work on composure in the next few days. We had opportunities that we blasted in the sky with the first touch when we could have made the second touch. Generally, we did not get into the game.
Mulomowandau Mathoho scored Chiefs’ goal in the 36th minute and Celtic equalised on the stroke of half time through Motebang Sera.
“Going into the dressing room with 1-1, we made changes trying to introduce some fresh legs,” he points out. “Despite the changes, coming out of the dressing and at a critical phase concede and find ourselves 2-1 down meant it was going to be a matter of chasing the game. Celtic are fighters and they build a good wall at the back.”
“We will have a meeting today to look at these issues,” confirms Middendorp. “We will not press panic buttons. I urge the team not to lose our cool. We will work together to deal with the situation before the next game. We require synergy to approach the next game.”
Chiefs will host Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, 23rd August at Orlando Stadium.
