Jan Olde-Riekerink says his Cape Town City side thoroughly deserved their 4-2 win against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday, but they should have killed the game off earlier.
Mdu Mdantsane continued his good start to the 2020/21 season by putting City into the lead with his third goal of the season, before Fagrie Lakay doubled the lead. Ndumiso Mabena pulled one back from the penalty spot before Thabo Nodada restored the two goal lead before halftime. Menzi Masuku reduced the deficit in the second half, but Nodada was on hand again to wrap up the result.
The Dutch coach said he felt at 3-1 they could have killed the game off, but allowed Celtic back into the game for a while, but fortunately finished strongly again.
“I think in the first half we used the spaces in the right way, and I think in the second half, at 3-1, we should have killed the game a little more,” Olde-Riekerink said after the game.
“But we lost the ball a little bit too easy, and then there was pressure of course from Bloemfontein. We knew of course they have a team that wants to put pressure on their opponents, and we expected it, but we didn’t have at that moment the quality in the second half to play under that pressure, and normally we have.”
“I think also the team, at the beginning of the season, we didn’t have a good start, so wanted to consolidate a bit more the 3-1, than make the game. But I think in the last phase we came back in our own rhythm, we deserved the win, and the first half I was very satisfied.”
The victory lifts City up to 5th on the table, while Celtic are 15th. While the Bloemfontein has done very well by reaching the MTN8 final this season, they are yet to win a game in the league.
City will be back in action next Saturday, when they face Amazulu at Kings Park Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 20h15.
