Leaky defence drowns Rio hope

12 August 2016 - 09:45 By KHANYISO TSHWAKU

South Africa's U-23's could have and should have found a way out of Group A of the men's Olympic football tournament. The close nature of the results before Brazil's 4-0 hammering of Denmark in Salvador yesterday morning put South Africa's profligacy against the Danes, when they lost 1-0 in Brasilia on Monday, into perspective.It was that result that saw them exit the tournament after their 1-1 draw against Iraq at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paolo.South Africa finished bottom of the group, with two points from three games. Brazil and Denmark proceeded to the quarterfinals.It was a game in which they were rather fortunate to escape with a point as shoddy defending and lacklustre passing encapsulated an underwhelming performance.The urgency witnessed in the Denmark game was nowhere to be seen and if it had not been for spellbinding goalkeeping by Itumeleng Khune, Owen da Gama's side could have been on the end of an embarrassing defeat.Erick "Tower" Mathoho's injury-enforced absence alongside Khune's heroics in goal contributed to the side's dismal performance.The manner in which they conceded the 14th-minute equaliser from Saad Luaibi, from a corner that should have been cleared, highlighted how much they missed Mathobo's aerial presence.Da Gama did not seem keen on taking responsibility for the shambolic defending, but said Mathoho's absence was crucial."We missed Mathoho because he was our strongest player at the back and in the air."We knew the Iraqi game was based on the long ball and we had to negate that situation for the best part of the game."Unfortunately, Mathobo was not there, but I think Tercious Malepe, one of the youngest players in the tournament, put up a brave performance," Da Gama said."Injuries always upset the team's rhythm and we missed Lebo Mothiba up front, which would have allowed us to play Gift Motupa in the midfield, and his creativity was missed."We wanted to play with two strikers, but Menzi Masuku was not as effective as we wanted."Misfortune could always be an easy scapegoat to hide behind but Lady Luck smiled on South Africa for large stretches of the game.Two clear-cut chances came off the uprights, with Khune well beaten and there were many timely interventions that prevented the final pass from going to its intended recipient. But Da Gama felt his side was bereft of good fortune."Towards the end of the game we were very strong, but the ball didn't go into the net," Da Gama said...

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