TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganović has admitted to being “surprised” by Mamelodi Sundowns’ ten changes when they faced each other in the Nedbank Cup.
The Rockets earned a place in the quarterfinals after beating Masandawana 2–0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga.
To many people’s surprise, Cardoso changed almost the entire team that had played against Orlando Pirates, winning that league match in midweek.
He made ten changes, leaving only Nuno Santos, who had started against the Buccaneers.
Beganović said he had expected “at least five” changes after noticing some cramping in their previous match against Pirates.
He also admitted he was delighted that Ronwen Williams, who usually starts play from the back, was absent, with Denis Onyango starting the match instead.
“I expected at least five changes and then I saw ten with the ‘keeper, only one player in the previous game, [Nuno] Santos,” said Beganovic.
“I’m so surprised, even though it’s high-quality players but it’s not same, when you put ten new players to play.
“I was so happy when I saw Williams was not in goals, it’s not same to defend and play. You can press in the last line cause the ‘keeper [Denis Onyango] is not so good with the legs like Williams.
“But also, it’s part of the tactics, we had high press because I had the feeling, we could win the ball close to their box like how we scored first goal.
“I watched their last two games – against Alger and Orlando Pirates, and I saw ten minutes before the end of the game, players complaining about injuries.
“And I expected to see some changes but not much because it gave us more opportunities to press, to have more possession and that’s it, I’m happy that we used it, unlucky to the opponents.”
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