A concerned looking Carlos Parreira. (Gallo Images)

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Jaco van der Merwe

Port Elizabeth – If it took God seven days to create Earth, one probably cannot expect too much within three days of Carlos Parreira taking over as Bafana Bafana coach.

That is how the Brazilian coach’s tune changed after his second term as coach started with a 0-0 draw with Japan in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

The South African team’s performance was in sharp contrast with the so-called new beginning that he predicted after taking the reins from compatriot Joel Santana.

Had it not been for two pieces of smart goalkeeping from Moeneeb Josephs, Japan would have won 2-0.

“We still have to work on things, but could not fit everything into three days of training. It took God seven days to create Earth,” said the coach.

Parreira also does not believe axing several players will help his team get a victory over Jamaica in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

“Rather than make changes, I will rather use substitutes as the game progresses,” said Parreira.

It will take a lot more than the new-found spirit since the return of Parreira and striker Benni McCarthy to get the national team out of the rut in which they fell under Santana.

Without creative players in midfield, South Africa could not put a lot of pressure on Japan.

“We have to work on our ability to get into the opponent’s area and on our finishing. We’ll have to get more players in the penalty area when we attack, but that will come in time,” said Parreira.

“This was just the beginning and we are aiming a lot higher. The spirit in the camp is good and I believe we can only get better.”

The coach admitted that his players had to improve their fitness to be able to compete better.

Apart from McCarthy, he is also concerned about Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Kagisho Dikgacoi, who struggled to get the midfield going.

McCarthy did not get enough possession from midfield to stamp down his authority. The one time he was in position to strike a winner, Katlego Mphela went for glory and failed rather than pass the ball.

“The team will improve if the players are fitter. Players that are important in the build-up to the World Cup, such as Teko and Siphiwe, are not maintaining their best form. It is either because they are not playing regularly or because they are injured. The same applies to Benni and Dikgacoi.”