Coach feels Chippa was blown out of the sky
Chippa United coach Eric Tinkler said his players did not cope well with Highlands Park’s aerial ball style of play in the 21 loss in Tembisa on Saturday.
The defeat was Tinker’s second setback at the helm after losing by the same score margin to SuperSport United. That loss was followed by a 1-0 win over Baroka at Sisa Dukashe Stadium. Chippa then played to a goalless draw against Golden Arrows before recording their second win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Free State Stars.
But goals from Mothobi Mvala and Lindokuhle Mbatha for Highlands Park denied Chippa’s chances of back-toback wins in the Premeirship.
Tinkler said going forward they needed to work on counteracting the aerial style of play that teams may adopt against them in future.
“I thought the game was very tough, we knew it would be a tough game,” said the 48-yearold coach.
“They are a very physical team. They are a team that works extremely hard both on and off the ball and we needed to match them.
“Aerial play… I thought that was their biggest strength. They won everything that was in the air. They won every aerial battle and every second ball.
“We struggled to deal with that and that is how the first goal came from a long throw. The only time they really threatened us was from the long throws, setpieces and corners.
“But, in open play I don’t think they really hurt us.
“The first 25-30 minutes of the game we were trying to play the same game as them which is not our game, it does not suit our play.
“We are better when we have the ball on the ground and when we did that we looked like threats. We created one or two very good chances in the first half.
“We had one situation that potentially could have been a goal. We should have come in at halftime at 1-1 in my opinion and I think it could have been a different game.”
The coach applauded his players’ fighting spirit and their performance against the Lions of the North even in defeat.
“We were chasing the game and conceded the second goal, but the boys kept fighting and working.
“We got ourselves back into the game. In the last 10 minutes I think we tried to pile on the pressure and change the formation trying to get the equaliser but it didn’t come. It wasn’t our night.”
The Chilli Boys’ next league match is against Mamelodi Sundowns at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on October 27.