CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 18: Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker during the Betway Premiership match between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at DHL Stadium on December 18, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker was disappointed with the defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, especially after their second-half display.
The Cape Winelands side suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Betway Premiership at DHL Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The hosts were second best in the first half, but Barker felt his side were the better team in the second period.
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“A classic case of maybe a match of two halves. I thought first-half we weren’t really at the races, arguably they could’ve got an extra goal and went to half-time with a two-goal lead,” Barker said on SuperSport.
“However, we hung in there, probably did well to keep it at 1-0. But second-half there was only one team that looked like scoring, so disappointed we weren’t able to take one of our chances.
“We created all the play, a lot of momentum, a lot of belief, more confidence in the second half and asked them a lot of questions and obviously Denis (Onyango) made some big saves.
“Disappointed that we weren’t able to get at least a point from the game but again proud of the effort in the second half, the comeback to get ourselves back into the game.
“I can’t fault the players for the effort in the second half, especially maybe first half one or two little errors, our execution maybe let us down a bit. So ja, overall disappointed that we weren’t able to salvage a point.
“A couple of fresh legs had an impact on the game, obviously we’ve been travelling quite a bit, we only arrived on Monday from Angola, it was a short turnaround,” the veteran coach said.
“Andre de Jong was unlucky not to get the header, Jayden Adams overhit a pass, otherwise it’s a tap in. Just really disappointed we weren’t able to take one of those chances,” Barker added.
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