Senong makes three changes for Amajita’s last group game against Uruguay

27 May 2017 - 13:50 By Marc Strydom
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U/20 coach Thabo Senong during the South African Men's U/20 National Media open day at Nike Training Centre, Soweto on July 07, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
U/20 coach Thabo Senong during the South African Men's U/20 National Media open day at Nike Training Centre, Soweto on July 07, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

More composure in attack and improving their defending of set plays have been key areas Amajita coach Thabo Senong has worked on ahead of South Africa’s final Fifa Under-20 World Cup Group D game against Uruguay in Incheon on Saturday.

Senong has made three changes from the team who lost 2-0 against Italy on Wednesday in Suwon‚ which was the SA U-20s’ second defeat of the tournament in South Korea after a 2-1 opening loss against Japan.

Those results have left Amajita needing a win against Uruguay‚ and hoping for Italy to beat Japan‚ plus goal difference coming into play‚ to stand a seemingly unlikely chance of progressing as one of the six groups’ four best third-placed finishers.

  • SA’s hopes of progressing to knockout stages of FIFA Under-20 World Cup dealt severe blowSouth Africa’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Fifa U20 World Cup were dealt a blow after losing 2-0 to Italy in their second Group D match in Suwon‚ South Korea on Wednesday. 

“Obviously we had to look at the strengths and weaknesses of Uruguay. They are a very hard team to break down‚ and it’s important that we use our fullbacks to get forward and get behind them‚” Senong said on Friday.

“That’s what we’ve done in training. We worked on wing play and getting in crosses from our fullbacks‚ overlapping.

“But also we won’t move away from our style of play – we’ll still play our combinations. We want more composure because we want to give our attackers more options in the final third.

“That composure is important. But also we have put an emphasis on defending and attacking set plays.

“It’s going to be a tough game. We have to take it seriously and hopefully we can get a positive result.

“At the moment it’s not in our hands. We don’t know what will happen in the other game. All we can do is focus on our game‚ concentrate. And it’s always important‚ even for our pride as well‚ that we do well in one match.”

  • 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. 

Amajita were notably panicky in possession of the ball against Italy‚ and have been weak on defending set pieces throughout the tournament.

Senong has brought Thendo Mukumela into his central defence‚ in place of Sandile Mthethwa.

Masilakhe Phohlongo will play in left midfield‚ replacing Wiseman Meyiwa‚ with Thabo Cele partnering Grant Margeman in the central midfield.

Teboho Mokoena makes his first start‚ asked to play a more forward than he does at club SuperSport United at deep striker behind Luther Singh‚ replacing Liam Jordan.

The game at Incheon Stadium kicks off at 8pm Korean time‚ 1pm SA time‚ and will be televised live on SuperSport 3.

South African starting XI: Mondli Mpoto - Reeve Frosler‚ Tercious Malepa (capt.)‚ Thendo Mukumela‚ Malebogo Modise - Sibongakonke Mbatha‚ Thabo Cele‚ Grant Margeman‚ Masilakhe Phohlongo - Teboho Mokoena - Luther Singh

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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