Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic was left frustrated by his side’s inability to break down Bloemfontein Celtic in the 1-1 draw at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
The result may have seen Pirates move top of the table after Cape Town City edged Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in Cape Town, but it also represented a big missed opportunity for the Sea Robbers to take control of their title destiny by securing all three points.
Speaking to SuperSport TV after the game, Sredojevic admitted his side found it difficult to keep their heads towards the end of the game, resulting in a frustrating draw for the Buccaneers.
‘We have the game the way we expected, we have seen a few days back and we have seen throughout the season. Credit to the team of Bloemfontein Celtic that are having a very organised reinforced defence, with the block of nine people behind the ball always in front of Patrick [Tignyemb],’ said the Serbian.
‘It’s not easy to penetrate that because they are working for each other. From the start we wanted to tire them and let that be our way of defending. But they limited the space, providing numbers [at the back].
‘In the third quarter of the first half we had that corner kick and we concede, and when you have that the opponent is confident and continuing to play their way. We were throwing everything from the point of attacking options, with only two defenders behind and one defensive midfielder.
‘Finally, with [Luvuyo] Memela in the centre, we scored. We were supposed to dig deeper and not allow blood to reach our heads. Some decisions in the last third we were rushing, we were supposed to be cool-headed – we would have converted what we created.
‘We need to collect the pieces and collect more points ahead of us. There are still seven matches to play.
‘We do not think about the table, we are frustrated that we could not win this game.
‘Credit to the players because they’ve given everything, but a bit more cool heads would have led us to win this game.
‘Now we’re refocusing towards the [Caf] Champions League, on Friday we’re playing against FC Platinum. That is a must-win match, then seven days later we’re away in Guinea against Horoya. About the local league we shall think after the Fifa break.’
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
