In the wake of a disappointing 5-0 defeat at the hands of SBV Vitesse during the first match of their Netherlands tour, Orlando Pirates DStv Diski Challenge coach Roscoe Krieling expressed a belief that his team had not been entirely outplayed. Instead, he pointed to self-inflicted mistakes as the root of their downfall.
The match served as a stark initiation for the Young Buccaneers, who may have still been in holiday mode. “Honestly, I don’t think the opponent outplayed us; we played ourselves by conceding those goals,” Krieling remarked after the game.
“Three of their goals stemmed from our own build-up errors, including a free kick we gave away. We made critical mistakes and the main difference is that they were clinical in front of goal. Our players were looking for that extra touch, which allowed them (opponents) to close down the spaces and limited our chances to shoot.”
The reigning Premier Soccer League Reserve League champions struggled to match Vitesse’s physicality while trying to hold onto the ball for too long. This tendency proved to be their Achilles’ heel, resulting in a litany of mistakes that they were ruthlessly punished for.
Krieling, who previously led SuperSport United during a tour in the U.K. in 2023, noted that his players had been forewarned about the physical nature of European football. “We’ve been stressing to them the importance of technical quality and the physical demands here,” he explained.
“I don’t think they fully absorbed that message. Once they faced the opponents, it hit home, this is a very physical game, and understanding how to protect the ball through strength and gym work is crucial.”
He added that keeping the game simple was essential. Unfortunately, many players tended to favour multiple touches on the ball, leading to unforced errors. “At this level, taking that third touch allows defenders to press, creating a transition moment that can be devastating.”
As Pirates look to redeem themselves in their next match against De Graafschap, the current Under-21 KNVB Dutch Cup champions, Krieling knows they have much to improve. The match is set for Thursday at the Bezelhorst training complex in Doetinchem, kicking off at 11:30 AM.
“We need to sharpen our defensive play and be more clinical in front of goal,” he concluded. “Protecting the ball and converting our chances are areas we must address if we want a better outcome.”