In the aftermath of the draw against Argentina, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis and star player Thembi Kgatlana cut dejected figures as they took turns to blame sections of the team after blowing away what could have been a historic win.
The disappointment was written all over Ellis’ face following the 2-2 draw in their second FIFA Women’s World Cup Group G match at Dunedin Stadium in New Zealand on Friday morning.
Ellis was fuming during the post-press conference, rightly so, as her troops proved to be their own worst enemies with their poor decision-making, letting the national team down badly.
Banyana created several opportunities, and attackers found themselves in areas where it looked harder to miss than to score.
In addition, the reigning African champions’ defensive frailties were once again exposed as Argentina came back from two goals down in the last quarter.
South Africa was on the verge of a historic first Women’s World Cup win, with goals from Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana giving Desiree Ellis’ team a 2-0 lead. However, Banyana spurned the two-goal cushion in a game they dominated for 70 minutes.
Kgatlana, who has scored two goals in the World Cup and walked away with the Player of the Match award against Argentina, blamed Banyana’s defence for the draw.
ELLIS AND KGATLANA DISAGREE ON BANYANA’S PERFORMANCE
“I think we need to work more on our defence because we are a team that scores, but we also concede, and that is what takes away the goals for us,” said Kgatlana.
“So, I think in the next coming days, that is what we need to do so that we are able to secure the first victory.”
The draw, which saw Banyana earn their first point at the World Cup, comes after their brave effort in the defeat to third-ranked Sweden in their first match in Wellington last Sunday.
”We started very well, the first half, even the second half. The team even scored, and then we started getting tired, and you could see it in our decision-making. We were not doing the things we were supposed to do, and that cost us two goals.
“You can imagine the frustration from my teammates. But personally, I think getting one point is better than losing all the points,” added Thembi Kgatlana.
In the same presser, Ellis begged to differ with Kgatlana, firing a salvo at Banyana’s attackers.
The coach pointed fingers at the striking unit, insinuating that some players are ‘selfish’.
ELLIS LAMENTS POOR DECISIONS IN THE FINAL THIRD
“I don’t think it is the defence, to be honest, I think the defence held out well. It’s the chances that we create,” declared Ellis.
“It’s the moments that we get into the final third, and we make the wrong decisions. When there are players that are running free in on goal”
Ellis’ utterances seemed to be directed at Kgatlana, as the attacker has been criticised for being selfish in both Banyana Banyana games against Sweden and Argentina.
SA fans on social media expressed their frustration stating that Kgatlana holds onto the ball for too long.
“If you make better decisions, we talk differently once again. You cannot create all those chances, and they [Argentina] get those two chances at the back, and they score,” added Ellis.
“It’s about taking our chances and making better decisions in the final third when we are running through. It doesn’t matter who scores. It’s about putting someone who’s in a better position and who has a better opportunity to score. That’s the problem, that we don’t take those chances. It comes back to haunt us every time.
“You cannot say, like Thembi said, that it’s the defence’s [fault]. Our defence has been magnificent. How many chances did we create? How many final entries did we have and were not completed?
“That’s where the problem lies, we are not taking those chances that we create. We are always going to be a team that creates chances. And when the goals are going in, we look at the defence.
“But we need to look a bit further up; why are we not passing to someone who is free? Why are we not taking our chances? asked a down-hearted Ellis.
Banyana’s draw with La Albiceleste jeopardised their chances to make it to the next stage, with Ellis’ troops set to face Italy in their last match of the group stages on 02 August.
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