Blue Birds defeat Junior Baller 2–0 in high-energy U13 showdown
Junior Baller and Blue Birds faced off in a tense U13 match at Malandela Ground, with both teams showing determination but only one side finding the net.
Tsakani – Junior Baller went up against Blue Birds on October 9 in a thrilling game at Malandela Ground. It was an exciting and intense U13 match as both teams showed great energy and determination, creating many chances to score.
The game kept fans on the edge of their seats as each team worked hard to break the deadlock. Even with all the effort and teamwork, missed chances kept the score close, making it a thrilling game for players and supporters alike.
Junior Baller coach Tebogo Mathabathe said their opponents were defensive. He noted that players at the back made small mistakes, which weighed on the team.
“They lost concentration, which hindered the communication structure in the first half. We had chances that we did not utilise correctly. The game was very hectic, and the second half was worse,” he said.
“Every chance we got to score, we missed or hit the post. Our opponents only had two chances, which they used to their advantage.
“One of our players made silly mistakes, such as constantly passing the ball to our opponents. He made this mistake more than once.”
Mathabathe said he was disappointed to have lost the game, but aim to encourage his team to create chances for themselves in every match.
Junior Baller lost the game, which ended with a score of 2-0. Blue Birds coach Man Hlatshwayo said the game played in their favour, although it was tough.
“In the first half, the boys struggled to play well as they had not adjusted to the game and formation. It was the first time my U11 team played as U13, and that called for a lot of adjustments. They constantly lost position in the beginning, but eventually got the hang of things,” explained Hlatshwayo.
“In the second half, I told them what to rectify, and they did just that. We won the game through good communication and focus. We do not want to lose games unnecessarily; we want to lose for a valid reason.
“I briefed them to use the last 20 minutes of the game, which they listened to. We scored two beautiful goals, which led to a win,” he added.
He expressed his gratitude for winning the game, saying township games inspire young children, and he wishes to see them play professionally in the future.
