Solinas blames bumpy pitch
GOALLESS DRAW: HARD FOR BOTH TEAMS - CHIEFS COACH
Amakhosi created chances, but couldn’t convert, says boss Solinas.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas has lamented the bumpy pitch at Makhulong Stadium, where his team were held to a goalless draw by Highlands Park in an Absa Premiership match on Tuesday night.
Amakhosi tried everything to break the Lions of the North’s last line but to no avail. They also survived some nervy moments from a resilient Highlands side who gave as much as they took and Solinas admitted that the draw was a just result.
“Both teams played well,” said Solinas. “It was a difficult game because the field is small in dimension and the grass was not good and we could not play combinations. We created chances to try and win the game but it is a pity we didn’t convert.
“But I am happy that my players tried until the very last minute,” he added.
He said the reason his team were not as fluid in their display as they had been in their last three matches was the condition of the pitch.
“It was not easy to play good football. I do not know why they didn’t cut the grass. The field was bumpy. We like to play the ball on the ground… The players complained that it was bumpy and the ball was not moving quickly.
“It is not an excuse. We are in the Premiership and we need a good field if we want to watch a good game of football. If you want to watch an amateur game it is okay, we can play long balls and play like amateurs.
“I am only trying to explain. My team tried to play good football. We tried to play on the ground but the field didn’t allow for it,” explained Solinas, 50.
While many supporters lambasted Pule Ekstein, who came on as a second-half substitute and squandered two clear chances to bury the game, Solinas took positives from his performance, saying it showed he was doing well.
“Pule came in and created two clear scoring chances and that is a positive,” he said.
Asked if the break for the MTN8 final had in impact on their momentum and rhythm, Solinas said: “Sometimes it is good that when you win you continue to play. But on the other hand it is better to have the time to prepare for a game, to fix the mistakes and improve. We exploited the break to try and improve. We did a specific drill for attack.”