NICK SAID
South Africa’s Under-23 side got a bitter taste of what they can expect at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August after they were thumped 4-1 by hosts Japan in a friendly match played in Matsumoto on Wednesday.
South Africa took the lead through another Gift Motupa penalty‚ but three goals in final 15 in the first half minutes turned the fixture in favour of the hosts.
They grabbed a fourth goal in the second period to complete the rout‚ but might have had even more.
Defensive errors costs the South Africans as they got a sobering reminder that Saturday’s victory in the COSAFA Castle Cup means little when competing against top teams from the rest of the globe.
There is therefore still much work to be done ahead of their Olympic Games opener against Brazil on August 4‚ which will be followed by difficult ties against Denmark and Iraq.
Coach Owen da Gama kept the same back four that did duty in the COSAFA Castle Cup final against Botswana‚ but did hand a start to goalkeeper Jody February ahead of Reyaad Pieterse.
And further up the pitch it was all change as Mothobi Mvala‚ Deolin Mekoa and Thapelo Morena all came into the starting line-up.
After a goalless opening half-hour‚ South Africa were gifted the chance to take the lead when Japanese defender Masashi Kamekawa handled the ball in his own box.
Orlando Pirates man Motupa made no mistake to score his fourth goal in three games for the side.
It was 1-1 seven minute later‚ though‚ as good work from Ryota Oshima provided an open goal for home forward Shoya Nakajima.
The South African defence were now getting torn to pieces regularly and it was no surprise when another slick move from the Japanese allowed Sei Muroya to cross low for Shinya Yajima to score.
After coughing up possession cheaply‚ South Africa then conceded a third just before halftime when Takuma Asano’s cross was met by the head of Nakajima for his second.
It got worse just a few minutes into the second period when Asano this time finished a fine move.
To their credit the South Africans managed to keep their hosts at bay after that‚ but they battled all game with the pace and technical ability of Japan.
The Asian side are potential quarterfinal opponents for South Africa if both sides make it through the pool stages in Rio. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
SA under-23 side handed bitter lesson by Olympic rivals Japan
NICK SAID
South Africa’s Under-23 side got a bitter taste of what they can expect at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August after they were thumped 4-1 by hosts Japan in a friendly match played in Matsumoto on Wednesday.
South Africa took the lead through another Gift Motupa penalty‚ but three goals in final 15 in the first half minutes turned the fixture in favour of the hosts.
They grabbed a fourth goal in the second period to complete the rout‚ but might have had even more.
Defensive errors costs the South Africans as they got a sobering reminder that Saturday’s victory in the COSAFA Castle Cup means little when competing against top teams from the rest of the globe.
There is therefore still much work to be done ahead of their Olympic Games opener against Brazil on August 4‚ which will be followed by difficult ties against Denmark and Iraq.
Coach Owen da Gama kept the same back four that did duty in the COSAFA Castle Cup final against Botswana‚ but did hand a start to goalkeeper Jody February ahead of Reyaad Pieterse.
And further up the pitch it was all change as Mothobi Mvala‚ Deolin Mekoa and Thapelo Morena all came into the starting line-up.
After a goalless opening half-hour‚ South Africa were gifted the chance to take the lead when Japanese defender Masashi Kamekawa handled the ball in his own box.
Orlando Pirates man Motupa made no mistake to score his fourth goal in three games for the side.
It was 1-1 seven minute later‚ though‚ as good work from Ryota Oshima provided an open goal for home forward Shoya Nakajima.
The South African defence were now getting torn to pieces regularly and it was no surprise when another slick move from the Japanese allowed Sei Muroya to cross low for Shinya Yajima to score.
After coughing up possession cheaply‚ South Africa then conceded a third just before halftime when Takuma Asano’s cross was met by the head of Nakajima for his second.
It got worse just a few minutes into the second period when Asano this time finished a fine move.
To their credit the South Africans managed to keep their hosts at bay after that‚ but they battled all game with the pace and technical ability of Japan.
The Asian side are potential quarterfinal opponents for South Africa if both sides make it through the pool stages in Rio. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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