Soccer
Leal plotting for Spurs tussle
2011-07-22 07:45
Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal is already planning for the Bucs'
final with Tottenham after his side beat Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday.
The Brazilian watched with pride as Tlou Segolela netted the
winner in the 59th minute in Port Elizabeth to seal a mouth-watering
Vodacom Challenge encounter with Harry Redknapp's Spurs on Saturday at
Coca-Cola Park.
But the Bucs mentor is all set to put his men through their paces on Friday in preparation for the clash in Johannesburg.
"We will be on the park getting ready," said Leal. "Those who
didn't play much (on Thursday) will practice and those who did will
recuperate.
"The idea is to maintain the momentum and keep most of the squad ready for the weekend."
The 60-year-old believes Chiefs were the better side in the first
half and were well prepared, but reckons his men from Orlando came back
strong to close out the match.
Leal added: "The second half we could play our game... little touches and passes."
As for man-of-the-match Segolela, he believes he is just taking
Thursday's triumph in his stride and remains focussed on the must-win
tussle with the north Londoners.
"We take each game as it comes and enjoy ourselves so we can show our talent," said the winger.
Meanwhile, Amakhosi chief Vladimir Vermezovic attributes his
side's defeat at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to fatigue, which also
led to a collapse in concentration for Segolela's goal.
"We had a couple of opportunities in the first half," said the
Serbian. "But the players tired and in the second half we made a big
mistake for the goal.
"It's still pre-season. If their legs were fresher we would see something more.
"I still believe in my team. In two, maybe three, weeks time we'll be kicking."