Confederations Cup
Santana: Bring on Brazil
2009-06-21 17:17
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Bafana coach Joel Santana (Gallo Images)
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Bloemfontein - Bafana Bafana are not afraid of the Samba Kings if they meet them in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup at Coca-Cola Park on Thursday night. Kick-off is at 20:30.
That was the opinion expressed by Bafana's Brazilian-born head coach Joel Santana after he guided his side into the runners-up spot in Group A despite losing 2-0 to group winners and European champions Spain at a packed Free State Stadium on Saturday night.
"I do not mind if we play Brazil, Italy or Egypt. We have shown such an improvement during this tournament that I am not afraid to play any side. The bigger the better as we need the experience to keep building the side for the 2010 World Cup. This sort of experience is invaluable and we have shown we can compete with the best team in the world tonight," said Santana.
Brazil are favourites to win Group B. They have six points from two matches played and meet Italy in the final group fixture at Loftus on Sunday while Egypt play the United States. Both Italy and Egypt have three points while the US have zero and will be going home on Monday.
Bafana put up one of the best displays under the much criticised Santana, who boldly decided to take on Spain and go for glory. It nearly worked but Spain had too much experience and skill. But after a goalless first half in which Bafana excelled, Spain gradually took control with goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente in the second half.
But Bafana won a lot of friends by their gutsy display against a side rated number one in the world against the home side's lowly 72nd world ranking.
Bafana finished Group A with four points with the two worst teams in the competition Iraq and New Zealand finishing with two and one point respectively after their goalless draw at Coca-Cola Park played at the same time on Saturday night.
Neither Iraq who played "anti-football" nor the All Whites managed to score a goal in three games.
But Santana realises how close he came to getting a one way ticket back to Brazil had Bafana failed to reach the semi-finals after they played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Iraq in the opening match at Coca-Cola Park last Sunday.
Santana said he could handle the critics and has been as good as his word: "I am happy to be in the semi-finals. I could have been heading home. But now I am looking forward to playing in a major semi-final of a big FIFA event. I knew how important it was for Bafana as hosts to qualify for the semi-finals. Things are starting to take shape.
"We deserve to be in the semi-finals. We got four points. We outplayed New Zealand. We beat them 2-0 but could have scored six while Iraq were totally negative. The fact that neither Iraq nor New Zealand scored a goal in the tournament speaks for itself."
The only disappointment was that hard as nails midfielder Macbeth Sibaya will miss the semi-final after collecting a second yellow card against Spain and is suspended for one match.
Said Santana: "It is a pity but I have other options and will make a couple of changes for Thursday. But I will have a look at training and decide on a new game plan on Tuesday.