Another tactical masterclass in the second half saw Orlando Pirates dispatch Golden Arrows 2-1 in their Betway Premiership clash on Tuesday, and again Jose Riveiro paid tribute to his players instead of taking credit for the win.
The outgoing Pirates coach Riveiro had to endure a difficult first half against hosts Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, as the sides went to the break goalless.
Shortly after the interval, Pirates finally made the breakthrough when Patrick Maswanganyi netted in the 51st minute.
Though Arrows were quick to equalise with Siyanda Mthanti firing home just short of the hour mark, Pirates never took their foot off the pedal and looked like the team most likely to score again.
That they did when Tshegofatso Mabasa found the winner in the 72nd minute.
Riveiro Praises Pirates’ Resilience After Hard-Fought Win Over Arrows
“Tough and difficult to play, for different reasons,” Riveiro told SuperSport after the game.
“We struggled a little bit in the first half with the high-pressing from Arrows. I think they did an extraordinary effort in the first half. I think the effort in the second half, we were much better.
“We managed to find different solutions in our build-up and due to that, we managed to take the lead and we conceded one goal when nothing was really happening on the field at that time, but they showed a lot of courage in the last part of the game.”
It was a short turnaround after Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in their Soweto Derby league encounter over the weekend, and it made the midweek victory even sweeter for Riveiro.
“If you think about the amount of fatigue that they have been accumulating in the season. A lot of players come into the starting eleven for the first time, it’s not easy to compete here in these circumstances and I think the team showed we came here to play seriously, to get the three points and I’m so happy to see them performing like that.”
Next up for Pirates is a second Soweto Derby in the space of a week. This time it’s in the Nedbank Cup final against Chiefs on Saturday, also at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
