Middendorp unimpressed by Chiefs’ key players
"The performances of a number of key players were not in the game like we expected like they were against Cape Town City," said Middendorp.
New Maritzburg United head coach Ernst Middendorp (Photo by Gallo Images)
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp was not impressed by the output from his players in their soulless display that saw them suffer their first defeat of the season as Polokwane City ran a smash-and-grab on them, beating them 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
“From our side, we didn’t come out for the game, and that was surprising for me,” said Middendorp after the match. “But so far so good… We had a longer break and it looks like it took something out of us if you look at maybe how we played against Cape Town City. It was however better in the second half and we created chances but we didn’t take them.
“The performances of a number of key players were not in the game like we expected like they were against Cape Town City and in the games before that. But that is football, now we have to start afresh and prepare for our next game,” he added.
READ: Chiefs coach not impressed with penalty decisions in City defeat
It took Jabulani Maluleke’s 15th-minute penalty for City to walk away with three points. The penalty was awarded after Daniel Akpeyi fouled Charlton Mashumba who had been sent through on goal but Middendorp was not sure if the referee had made the right decision.
“I would still want to review the penalty situation again. I don’t think Daniel had a clear hand to the ball. In my opinion it was difficult to go into it and confirm that it was the right decision. But in the end we have to accept it,” he said.
Amakhosi also had their own penalty appeal denied right at the death and Middendorp was unhappy it was not awarded.
“In the last minutes against Khama… they jumped into his body, but when do you want to give us something? In the last minutes the goalkeeper rushed into our player, why don’t you want to give a penalty? But the decision was made and we have to accept it,” said Middendorp.
City’s Zlatco Krmpotic was not happy with his side’s performance on the night but credited their fighting spirit for seeing them come out of the match with the full points.
“I am not too satisfied with the display but the discipline is what makes my team good. We were disciplined from the first minute to the last, The opponent played better especially in the second half but with some luck we took it” he said.
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