Pitso Mosimane reaction to Jeonbuk defeat at FIFA Club World Cup

16 Dec, 2016 - 00:12 0 Views

The ManicaPost

PITSO Mosimane says Mamelodi Sundowns now know where they stand in world football following their participation at the FIFA Club World Cup.The Brazilians were humbled 4-1 to Japanese J-League winners Kashima Antlers, finishing in sixth place (R13.67-million prize money).
Percy Tau scored Sundowns’ only goal of the tournament – if you exclude Ricardo Nascimento’s own-goal — and that brilliant strike was the only glimmer of style the PSL and African champions have to show.
Nevertheless, Mosimane was proud of his team and believes the whole journey is part of the learning curve his side, as well as the nation, must endure before South African teams can compete on a global level.
“I’m happy with my boys, I’m proud of my boys. I think they played well,” he told the gathered press after the match.
“It was important to come and compete at the global level and only then would we know where we stand.
“You can see why they [Jeonbuk] are the Asian champions, they play good, quick football and we’ve learnt just like we did the first time in the (CAF) Champions League. They play at a high level and we now know our level in South Africa and in Africa, and now in the world.”
On the 4-1 hiding, Mosimane believed his side were the better team in the second half despite conceding a fourth goal in the 89th minute.
“It was a game of two halves again, but unlike the other times, we were the better side in the second half,” he is quoted as saying by FIFA.com.
“We knew Jeonbuk would be tougher opponents than Kashima. They’re the Asian champions and they’re a better side than us.
“I’m proud of my team, though. They played as I expected them to, though there’s obviously plenty of room for improvement. We’ve learnt a few lessons: we have to drop back more quickly, we need to be fitter and we lack pace in the midfield, among other things.
“The tournament has at least given me a chance to see what my team can do in a global competition. I’ve learnt a lot and when we get home we’ll keep on working and try to make it back next year.”
Midfielder Keagan Dolly added: “We can learn a lot from the Japanese and Korean teams because we are not used to this level of football in South Africa.”
Sundowns will take home USD1-million for their participation, which at the current exchange rate is R13.67-million. — KICKOFF

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