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Tinkler unhappy with players’ attitude as Stellenbosch win derby

rugby26 September 2024 06:35| © Backpage TXT
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Mistakes cost Cape Town City dearly in the provincial derby against Stellenbosch on Wednesday night with coach Eric Tinkler critical of his players for a lack of fight.

 

Stellenbosch won 3-0 at the Athlone Stadium for their first points of the new Betway Premiership season and are now unbeaten in their last eight clashes with the nearest neighbours, winning seven of them.

Tinkler felt the game had been an even contest until halftime but after a wonder goal from Fawaaz Basadien, scored from inside his own half, made it 2-0 in the second half, he slammed the attitude of his players.

“Over the years that we've played them, our record has never been great. But we know, and we explained all of this to the players, that they're a very, very good counter-attacking team. They're a team built to play with speed. They're a team, especially against us, that are looking to capitalise on our mistakes,” said Tinkler.

“And I think that was the case right from kickoff, when we gave the ball away very cheaply and immediately we put ourselves under pressure.

“But I thought the players responded. And I thought as that first half progressed, we got better, and had a very, very good chance with Darwin (Gonzalez) that could have given us that 1-0 lead.

“So, I wasn't entirely upset with the performance in that first half, although the goal that they scored right at the death in the first half, came from an opportunity for us to counter. We made the wrong choice. We lose it, no pressure on the ball, and we concede a weak goal.”

 

 

City had an excellent opportunity to make it 1-1 after halftime with a breakaway chance for Jayden Rhodes that was squandered but then Basadien caught them with a sucker punch as he lobbed over the despairing and backtracking Darren Keet for Stellenbosch’s second.

“I think everything changed after the second goal. It was almost like you could see that the players gave up hope, and now we weren't good enough in our duels, our pressing was almost nonexistent,” reckoned the City coach.

“There was very little aggression shown from our guys, you know. And, like I said, the second goal comes from our mistake and the third goal no different, rather clear the ball, clear your lines. Don't take risk in silly areas, and we ended up getting punished and Stellies on that obviously deserve to get the result,” Tinkler added.

 

 

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