Taylor happy with Ajax win

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 30: Ian Taylor (interim coach) during the Ajax Cape Town training session and press conference at Ikamva on January 30, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Lance Prinsloo/Gallo Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 30: Ian Taylor (interim coach) during the Ajax Cape Town training session and press conference at Ikamva on January 30, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Lance Prinsloo/Gallo Images)

Published Feb 8, 2014

Share

Cape Town – Ajax Cape Town interim coach Ian Taylor was able to breath huge sigh of relief on Friday after his team notched up their first win under his management.

After seeing his side survive a second-half onslaught from Wits at the Cape Town Stadium, Ajax recorded a narrow 1-0 victory and Taylor was clearly a relieved man.

“Obviously I'm delighted. It's good to have three points – my first three points,” Taylor said.

“I'm really happy, it wasn't a great win. But you know, we played well against AmaZulu, and we lost, so well done to the boys.

“At the end of the day it's the heart, it's the desire, and they (Ajax) wanted it more. They fought and they deserved the three points.”

Taylor was put in charge of the Urban Warriors on a caretaker basis after Muhsin Ertugral parted ways with the club in January.

His first two matches in charge – away to Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu – both ended in defeat.

Ajax have given no clear indication at this stage whether or not the 37-year-old Taylor could be offered the job on a full time basis.

“Look it's a difficult situation. You have also got to look at the club's situation,” he said.

“Is it the right time for me? I'm a long-term thinker and this has really sped up my development as a coach. I'm a great believer that when it's my time, it's my time.

“If they offer it to me I'll take it, I love the challenge.”

While Taylor was reflecting on his first win as a PSL coach, Students manager Gavin Hunt cast a frustrated figure, bemoaning the misfortunes his team had suffered this season.

Friday night's defeat left the Johannesburg club 14 points behind league leaders Kaizer Chiefs, albeit with two games in hand.

“The guys worked hard, they fought hard, under very trying conditions,” Hunt said.

“All the big decisions went against us. That was never a red card (for defender Kofi Dankwa) so what do you want me to do?

“The pressure is for us to do well and get more points. I thought a couple of times we have been very unfortunate this season.

“No excuses but we have had some very big decisions go against us which hamper you. But the players have been great, they have been fighting hard, shoulder to the wheel and I can't fault them.” – Sapa

Related Topics: