Tinkler: I could see the frustration on Chiefs’ faces
VICTORIOUS Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler beamed a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon after Venezuelan Darwin Gonzalez weaved his magic before handing Khanyisa Mayo the match-winner on a platter against Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday night.
Gonzalez was one of three substitutes Tinkler introduced at the start of the second half as he plotted Chiefs’ downfall at the FNB Stadium.
Gonzalez rounded two Chiefs defenders before he chipped in a classy cross which went over the heads of the central defenders, and unmarked Mayo had the easiest of chances to convert.
The TV commentator said Chiefs’ defence was ball-watching, and that might have been because they were dumbstruck by the audacity of Gonzalez to take on the defence and close out his penalty-area raid with a pinpoint feed to Mayo.
Tinkler’s triple substitution at the start of the second half proved to be a masterstroke.
“I could see the spaces (in our formation) were starting to open (towards the end of the first half), so it made sense right at halftime to make those changes,” said Tinkler.
“I could already see the frustration on Chiefs’ faces just before halftime. They realised that it was difficult to break us down.
“Once or twice we could have caught them on a counter, but we lacked the legs to get there (our players were getting tired).”
When researching Chiefs during his preparation, Tinkler discovered that speed was an essential part of the opposition’s armoury.
“What was important in the first half was to contain them, because they are a team that is built on speed,” said Tinkler.
“We needed not to give them those spaces behind (our defence), and I thought we did that very well in the first half, playing with a back-five.
“Once or twice they managed to get in there, but we managed to cope with it. (Goalkeeper) Darren (Keet) only made one very good save throughout the match, because we nullified them.
“We knew the longer the (first) half went on, the more frustrated they would become, and we would stand a greater chance in the second half.
“They are a team with speed and as you try to deal with the speed, fatigue sets in quicker – considering that we played three days ago. The plan worked well.”
Mayo’s form continued on an upward curve, and he has been a tad more adventurous in the striking zone.
“Mayo is more active and he’s sharper. He is more aware of where he should be going and the spaces he should be looking to occupy,” said Tinkler.
“He’s gambling a little bit more, so I think that’s the important thing. His work ethic is back to what it was before. It has improved immensely.
“He’s not reactive, which was his problem in the first couple of games this season. He is now very reactive to what is happening around him.’’
Towards the end of Tuesday’s postmatch press conference, Tinkler was delighted that he is now regarded as a Chiefs jinx because of his high success rate against Amakhosi.
City are now unbeaten in the last six games against Chiefs, and have won the previous four fixtures at the FNB Stadium.
Tinkler has also enjoyed great success against Chiefs while managing SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United.
“I didn’t even know that (those statistics),” said Tinkler. “As a coach, I play every game to win, irrespective of who the opponent is. The fact that I have a good record against Chiefs bodes well for my CV, I guess.’’
City now have a three-week break, before travelling to KwaZulu-Natal to face Richards Bay FC at the end of October in the Premiership.