JOHANNESBURG – Milutin Sredojevic’s only concern with Orlando Pirates, eight games into his tenure, is what he calls “infertile domination” – an attack that has exciting foreplay, but no penetration.
The Buccaneers were all over Kaizer Chiefs like a horny teenager, but they didn’t know how to score.
Their “infertile domination” resulted in the Buccaneers failing to register a win for a fourth successive match after their goalless draw with Amakhosi in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
“I believe that we played according to the plan,” Sredojevic said. “We paid attention to every detail. We had domination that was infertile in the first half.
“We did the hardest part of football, which was to bring the ball to areas where we can endanger our opponents. But our final-third entrance – whether with a cheap pass, dribbling, cross or combination play – was the only thing that was lacking from us. Otherwise, I am satisfied with the domination.
Joseph Molangoane of Kaizer Chiefs challenges Orlando Pirates' Innocent Maela during the 0-0 Soweto derby draw. Photo: Aubrey Kgakatsi/BackpagePix
“I believe that the supporters went home disappointed that goals didn’t come, but the performance was action-packed and that’s what supporters are looking for.
“The only thing missing was the goals. I need to express regret on us not converting the chances that we created.
“I am satisfied with our dominance in the match, but in the same breath, I am totally unsatisfied with not converting the chances we had from our domination.”
Chiefs didn’t mind the point as it saw them collect four points in a week that was meant to be a baptism of fire for coach Steve Komphela, having to face African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and then their arch-rivals Pirates.
Amakhosi and Komphela came out of these matches unscathed.
“A point, we’ll take it, even though we haven’t won at home this season which is sad,” Komphela said.
“I say let’s take it, even though we are not completely satisfied… three plus one is four. Four out of six is a pass mark.”
The fans were the biggest losers as they once again watched an “infertile” Soweto Derby – the fourth goalless draw these Soweto giants played to in a competitive match in the last two years.
“From an offensive point of view, which is a point of your interest, if we had turned the ball quicker (we would have scored),” Komphela said.
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune reacts during the 0-0 Soweto derby draw. Photo: BackPagePix
“One of the strategies in holding positions is such that when you regain possession, the opponent is in an offensive position, they are out of defensive balance. So, you can then find spaces in between, where to hurt them.
“I don’t think we did that well. We needed to be quick after we won the ball, find a gold shirt and then proceed with the attack and threaten.
“It only happened in the second half. The game opened up in the second half. We could have scored from the set-plays. We hit the upright.
“Yes, it is true we want to see goals. It would have been nice if it was 3-3. But unfortunately, we couldn’t get that.”