A game of mixed feelings yesterday in the Cape. I must say I was totally pleased with the weather, it look amazing watching on TV. The pitch look just as good. Keep up the good work Capetonians.
I am disappointed we didn't get the all important away goal. There's a match report on our official site. The author of the report says:
Ajax Cape Town failed to capitalise in their home leg, and Swallows will be the happier of the two teams as they will have home advantage in the second leg.There's a few things to this quote. First I agree Ajax failed to capitalise on their home leg. As I mentioned yesterday, Ajax would have wanted to rap things up in Cape Town and they tried. They were the ones under pressure yesterday and they tried to get a result. In that sense they failed then.
Now the second part of the quote, with Swallows being happier....Well, we got a draw at Ajax, that was an away game. And more importantly we didn't concede a goal (I know about the dis-allowed goal), Which is a positive that can be taken from this game.You know by now there's a "but" coming somewhere, here it is now.
BUT that whole pressure that was on Ajax has now just shifted totally to Swallows. We now have to perform in the second leg. The critical part would be to have a clean sheet. If Ajax scores, we need to win the game. Any scoring draw puts us out of the cup and I can't take that.
The clean sheet yesterday was important. It was the first in three games. It could indicate that Ajax were blunt in front of goals, as at some stage Fanteni had a one-on-one with Mathibe but couldn't convert, but I'd rather think that our technical team worked on the defense that was really poor in the midweek game. The one-on-one by Fanteni with Mathibe was still a horror show from our defense. We gifted the ball back to Fanteni after clearing our lines. That is not acceptable.
There's also the disallowed Ajax goal, which was marginally offside. Another referee or linesman that goal would have stood. I am paying particular interest on this on because Mathibe came out of his line and couldn't gather the ball. He was left in no man's land and this happened again only this time the header from the same play hit the upright. So Mathibe please work on this but a Big congratulations on the man-of-match award. You played a big part in keeping the clean sheet yesterday. The run of games would do a lot to boost you confidence.
The one irritating thing that I picked up from the game yesterday was Haschick throwing tantrums when he didn't get a pass from team mates. Buddy, thats not on in my book. I am sure we can find countless times when you do exactly the same thing, it happens in football. It bothers on showing disrespect towards you fellow players. I love you commitment but don't let it cloud you judgement. It affect other players as well.
I can't finish on such a bad not....Mhhhhh!!!! Am thinking....
OH....Our maroon stripe is AWESOME...truly AWESOME. I think that should have been our home kit. Each time I see you boys in it...it looks more and more better.
Obviously not as good as I look in it...Seriously you can ask Mrs Blogger here...
Cheers and see you soon....
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