Carlos Alberto Parreira began his second tenure as Bafana Bafana coach with a 0-0 draw against Japan in their international friendly encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Bafana Bafana Didn’t Lose
But Bafana Bafana didn’t lose! And there is already a sign of improvement in their play in spite of the upheaval of changing a coach and the whole Benni issue. The boys looked more committed and motivated.
Carlos Alberto Parreira deployed what appeared to be an attack-minded 4-4-2 formation in his first match back in the hot seat, but it was the super fit and agile visitors who edged the contest in midfield and created the best openings.
Shinji Okazaki and Makoto Hasebe had the best chances of the match (before they ran into Moeneeb Josephs) while Parreira’s men came closest to scoring from Siphiwe Tshabalala’s effort from range.
Midfield Problems of Bafana Bafana
Bafana Bafana’s strike-force of Katlego Mphela and Benni McCarthy had to run themselves ragged to go and fetch the ball in the first half of the international friendly against Japan on Saturday- their fetchers were simply just not up to the job. Shabalaba was a workhorse – he tried to be everywhere but he cannot cover the whole pitch – as usual, of late, Teko Modise under performed. I know this Bucs man is brilliant, but at the moment he is really off his game.
In the second half, there were only chances for Japan but the last 10 minutes suddenly saw Bafana Bafana came alive as they sought to snatch a win at the end.
Japan’s high-tempo approach and quick passing rattled the men in green and gold who at times seemed all over the pitch – passing to nothing, not marking the opponents, and playing back far too much.
Substitutions – Off the Bench
Both Parreira and Takeshi Okada tested their options off the bench and with just under 25 minutes left on the clock, Parreira made a triple change.
Tshabalala and Modise were withdrawn in favour of local boys Daine Klate and Elrio Van Heerden while Reneilwe Letsholonyane replaced the ineffective Kagiso Dikgacoi.
As can be expected the changes meant both sides lost shape and a scrappier game ensued, but, Bernard Parker, who replaced McCarthy, almost latched onto Letsholonyane’s long clearing pass in the 76th minute to open the scoring. Again the Japan number one was up to the task.
Three minutes later Okazaki made a smart turn in the area and Josephs had to make a great save to deny Japan the goal to break the deadlock.
Bafana stopman, Moeneeb Josephs deserved the Man of the Match award.
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira – “We Have to Improve”
After the goalless draw with Japan, Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira spoke to football 365: “Putting everything together I consider the result as fair. We need to improve a lot of things, but we cannot do this all in three day session training, the world was made by Jesus Christ in seven days.”
“We had good organisation at the back, the Japanese had one chance. Organising wise we are okay, we need to have more possession now, we have to improve on the creative play and the shooting at goal, we need to put more pressure on our opponents in the box then we did today. But these things will come naturally with time,” he concluded.
Read Mark Herman’s 10 post-match points to digest after Bafana Bafana’s draw with Japan.
Image: Bafana Bafana vs Japan football 365.co.za
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