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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol has showered his boys with praise after they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in a Nedbank Cup last-32 match on Saturday night at the Orlando Stadium.
Katlego Mashego missed a penalty in the 57th minute after Thapelo Tshilo was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. However, Pirates' players didn't drop their heads and two minutes later they got the winner via the boot of Tlou Segolela.
After the win, Krol was full of praise for his side' tenacity.
He said: "I think we played a good match and when we missed a penalty my players were clever to come back quicker and score a goal, because Sundowns were still celebrating!
"We killed the match in that moment and well done to my players, because that's what you must do in football, to catch your opponents while they are still in another moment."
However, the Dutchman was also quick to remind the Bucs he was not entirely satisfied with their showing.
"We dropped off too quick to the box when we were defending after Happy Jele's red card (in the 61st minute) and that you must never do. I don't like that, because in modern football the best form of defending is attacking, that's why I was not happy with the way we were playing after his red card," he said.
The focus for Bucs now shifts to Wednesday's crucial league match against Ajax Cape Town in the Mother City, where the fans will witness top versus second and the 61-year-old feels it is Pirates' title to lose.
"I think we are the only team that has it in our own hands. We don't have to look at other opponents to do us favours, that of course gives us the mental strength," Krol added.
On a lighter note, Krol finally explained his love for the orange shirt.
"I know it is becoming a big thing in the media, but the shirt is not playing. The shirt has nothing to do with our performance. I like the colour and that's the only thing," he concluded.
Katlego Mashego missed a penalty in the 57th minute after Thapelo Tshilo was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. However, Pirates' players didn't drop their heads and two minutes later they got the winner via the boot of Tlou Segolela.
After the win, Krol was full of praise for his side' tenacity.
He said: "I think we played a good match and when we missed a penalty my players were clever to come back quicker and score a goal, because Sundowns were still celebrating!
"We killed the match in that moment and well done to my players, because that's what you must do in football, to catch your opponents while they are still in another moment."
However, the Dutchman was also quick to remind the Bucs he was not entirely satisfied with their showing.
"We dropped off too quick to the box when we were defending after Happy Jele's red card (in the 61st minute) and that you must never do. I don't like that, because in modern football the best form of defending is attacking, that's why I was not happy with the way we were playing after his red card," he said.
The focus for Bucs now shifts to Wednesday's crucial league match against Ajax Cape Town in the Mother City, where the fans will witness top versus second and the 61-year-old feels it is Pirates' title to lose.
"I think we are the only team that has it in our own hands. We don't have to look at other opponents to do us favours, that of course gives us the mental strength," Krol added.
On a lighter note, Krol finally explained his love for the orange shirt.
"I know it is becoming a big thing in the media, but the shirt is not playing. The shirt has nothing to do with our performance. I like the colour and that's the only thing," he concluded.
