Serero shines as SA, Socceroos share spoils.
A YOUTHFUL Bafana Bafana put a damper on what was supposed to be Australia ’s big send-off party when they drew 1-1 with the Socceroos in a tough friendly international at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.
Serero was class and even the home supporters began to appreciate the genius that is the Ajax player whenever he was in possession.
Things were a lot tenser for the South Africans in the opening minutes of the game and they took longer to settle down.
The ANZ Stadium groundsman watered the pitch minutes before kick-off and the Bafana players visibly struggled to deal with the slippery conditions.
Senzo Meyiwa was the busier of the two goalkeepers during that tense spell and the hosts piled on the pressure, desperate for an early goal.
Striker Matthew Leckie was quoted a few days ago as saying Australia would use the “tough guy” approach to harass World Cup opponents Spain, Holland and Chile if they are to grind out unexpected results against their more illustrious rivals in Brazil next month.
It was evident the Australians have been taking “tough guy” lessons and their World Cup rivals will do well to get a recording of yesterday’s encounter to view first-hand just what they have in store for them.
They harassed and roughed up the Bafana players to such an extent there were times when Korea referee John Hyeok Kim seemed to be inhaling through his whistle in the first half.
Serero, in particular, was on the end of some vicious tackles and it was clear the Australians had singled out the biggest name in the Bafana starting lineup for special attention.
Given the pressure Bafana were subjected to in the early minutes of the match, it came as a huge surprise when they scored the opening goal.
The visitors could have embarrassed their hosts with a bit of luck but coach Gordon Igesund insisted the result was a fair reflection of the game.
Bafana will now head to New Zealand for the second match of their tour Down Under confident they can score a victory before returning home.
Bafana’s young guns step up to the plate
A YOUTHFUL Bafana Bafana put a damper on what was supposed to be Australia ’s big send-off party when they drew 1-1 with the Socceroos in a tough friendly international at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.
Serero was class and even the home supporters began to appreciate the genius that is the Ajax player whenever he was in possession.
Things were a lot tenser for the South Africans in the opening minutes of the game and they took longer to settle down.
The ANZ Stadium groundsman watered the pitch minutes before kick-off and the Bafana players visibly struggled to deal with the slippery conditions.
Senzo Meyiwa was the busier of the two goalkeepers during that tense spell and the hosts piled on the pressure, desperate for an early goal.
Striker Matthew Leckie was quoted a few days ago as saying Australia would use the “tough guy” approach to harass World Cup opponents Spain, Holland and Chile if they are to grind out unexpected results against their more illustrious rivals in Brazil next month.
It was evident the Australians have been taking “tough guy” lessons and their World Cup rivals will do well to get a recording of yesterday’s encounter to view first-hand just what they have in store for them.
They harassed and roughed up the Bafana players to such an extent there were times when Korea referee John Hyeok Kim seemed to be inhaling through his whistle in the first half.
Serero, in particular, was on the end of some vicious tackles and it was clear the Australians had singled out the biggest name in the Bafana starting lineup for special attention.
Given the pressure Bafana were subjected to in the early minutes of the match, it came as a huge surprise when they scored the opening goal.
The visitors could have embarrassed their hosts with a bit of luck but coach Gordon Igesund insisted the result was a fair reflection of the game.
Bafana will now head to New Zealand for the second match of their tour Down Under confident they can score a victory before returning home.
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