Defeat to Uruguay a wake-up call – coach
Tshepo Ntsoelengoe
After losing 3-0 in a friendly match against 2018 Fifa Under-17 World Cup hosts Uruguay at Estadio Parque Capurro, Fenix on Monday, Bantwana coach Simphiwe Dludlu says she will focus on the positives to help her team improve ahead of the tournament.
This was the team’s second friendly in Uruguay, having won 8-0 against Canadian Soccer Club last Friday.
“We lost but we got some important elements out of the game and it will be easy to teach them before we start with the World Cup. I could say there are certain things we can improve on and certain elements that were really helpful, with some players rising to the occasion and being able to field players in different positions to test them against opponents who are organised,” said Dludlu.
“Obviously the score is not pleasing, we lost 3-0 and conceded goals at critical stages. And that calls for concern obviously, it’s not that we were not switched on when we conceded those goals, it was against the run of play and it happens.
“At this age, they are not mature enough to realise those moments, but we will go back to the drawing board and show them why we conceded the goals, and what they could have done better so that they can learn going into the next game.”
The World Cup is set to kick off on Tuesday next week, with Bantwana taking on Mexico in the opening game on the Wednesday.