Amajita have their backs to the wall at FIFA Under-20 World Cup

Amajita have their backs to the wall having lost their opening game of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup against Japan‚ but need to dig deeper‚ remain calm‚ and show more composure up-front against Italy on Wednesday‚ said SA U-20 coach Thabo Senong.

South Africa held a promising 1-0 half time lead against Japan at Suwon World Cup Stadium in South Korea.

But they conceded second-half goals to capitulate against the Asian champions‚ leaving Amajita needing results either against European U-20 championship runners-up Italy‚ also in Suwon‚ or South American champions Uruguay in Incheon on Saturday.

“We are now focused on the next match against Italy. They are another tough team to beat but we have to work hard‚ we have to dig deeper‚” Senong said.

• South Africa begin Under-20 World Cup with their backs against the wall after defeat to JapanSouth Africa were made to rue several missed chances in their opening Group D match of the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea after allowing Japan to come back from behind and eventually lose 2-1 at the Suwon Stadium on Sunday. 

“We have to plan and prepare well. It’s important that we collect three points from this match to give us a chance to qualify for the next round.

“We created many chances against Japan. But we just need to score from the many chances we’ve been creating.

“We’ve reminded the boys that they played well against Japan‚ even though they could not win.

“We’re encouraging them to be more composed in the final third‚ be more calm‚ look for other passing options and that can give us a chance to win the match.

• Amajita need to express themselves to beat Japan‚ says coach SenongAmajita need to express themselves if they are to stand a chance of beating Japan in their opening game of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup on Sunday‚ said South Africa’s U-20 coach Thabo Senong in South Korea on Saturday. 

“It’s much better that we now have 21 players in camp with Teboho Mokoena and Reeve Frosler having arrived. It always helps the technical team to have more options.”

SA’s Group D match against Italy‚ 1-0 losers against Uruguay in their opener‚ is at 5pm Korean time‚ 10am in SA‚ and will be televised live on SuperSport 4.

 - TMG Digital/TMG Sport