University of Pretoria head coach Tlisane Motaung praised his players for sticking to the tactics against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup.
AmaTuks' run in the Nedbank Cup came to an end after losing to the Brazilians on penalties after it ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Read: Williams' Penalty Heroics Inspires Downs To Nedbank Cup Semis
"I'm super happy for the lads, I thought they stuck in, they became very disciplined, they applied tactical things that we worked on, things that we thought Sundowns would bring," Motaung told SuperSport after the game.
"Yes, in certain moments they broke the line, that's why our goalkeeper is the Man of the Match, he saved us a couple of times. I mean you're playing against one of the best teams on the continent.
"I'm proud of the lads, they fought. One can simply say congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns, all the best going forward and for us is now really to focus on the main business, which is to compete in the league."
Motaung felt the team did not get off to a promising start, but says they improved after the halftime talk.
"Ja, look we didn't start well. I thought our guys they were panicking a little bit. I needed them to scan a little bit, look at their shoulders, because you are playing against a team that runs off the shoulders you need to be clever in terms of that," he added.
"So in my view we lacked that in the beginning but from there we rectified it and we began to really match them. Secondly, what we were doing wrong, Ronwen Williams is clever on the ball, so when you go and press him, there's a defender that moves the midfielder joining in.
"So second-half we changed and said allow him when they have the ball, pick your man, let's fight one for man and see how it goes. I'm super proud of the boys. We need to focus going forward, I hope they will display the same commitment into the few games of the league."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
