Confederations Cup
Bafana warned
2009-06-19 22:07
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Bafana in the swing of things (Gallo)
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Bloemfontein - South African coach Joel Santana is ready to make major changes to his team for next year's World Cup if the hosts fail to reach the Confederations Cup semifinals.
South African defender Matthew Booth said it would be a disaster if Bafana Bafana failed to earn a spot in the next round at the eight-team tournament that serves as a warmup for next year's showcase event.
"Bafana Bafana have one year preparation for (the) World Cup. If they prepare well, Bafana Bafana stay complete. If we don't play well, I (will) change everything," Santana said on Friday, a day before the team's final Group A match against European champion Spain. "This tournament is important for my group, for the experience."
Santana called on his players to prove themselves Saturday against Spain. The European champions are going for a record 15th straight win that would also allow them to match Brazil's record 35-match unbeaten run.
"I have a good group now," Santana said. "They understand my ideas."
Booth said that a loss to the Spanish and an early exit from the tournament wouldn't be so negative in the buildup to next year as long as South Africa put in a good performance - as it did in a 2-0 win over New Zealand - at the Free State Stadium.
"It probably depends how well we play tomorrow. After this New Zealand game we can see the difference in the eyes of the public and the attitude towards us," Booth said. "We're still going to qualify, that's our thinking at the moment. None of the players are thinking about not qualifying for the semifinals."
Spain leads Group A with six points, followed by South Africa with four and Iraq with one. South Africa can advance with a draw or a loss, although progression will then also depend on Iraq's result against New Zealand.
Either way, the South African fans will be blowing on their vuvuzela during the match, and both Santana and booth were in favor of them sticking around for the World Cup, although Booth was slightly concerned that they could be used against the players should they disappoint.
"It creates a magic atmosphere within the stadium," Booth said. "I'm all for it, as long as we don't lose and they start throwing them at us."
The vuvuzelas will certainly be around in 2010, but South Africa striker Benni McCarthy likely won't be.
"I have respect (for him), he is my friend, but Benni is not here," Santana said. "I said it before, I said it now, I have confidence in my group. Benni McCarthy is in England, he stays there. I stay here."