Jose Riveiro Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has voiced his dissatisfaction with the conditions at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English, Independent Newspapers
Coach Jose Riveiro described his side’s hard-fought 1–0 Premiership victory as an “extraordinary result” due to Polokwane’s fierce resistance and the poor condition of the pitch, which made the game an “uncomfortable” challenge for Orlando Pirates.
After the match, Riveiro said: “I think it is an extraordinary result.
"This is the fourth time we are playing at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, so we know very well what it means to try to play football here. I think it’s always ugly when you play at the Old Peter Mokaba.
|The state of the pitch is terrible — slow, bumpy — and this is not a football ground. You have to find a way not to concede, be patient, and wait for opportunities.”
Pirates faced an uphill battle against a Polokwane side who exploited every opportunity to frustrate their opponents. Riveiro praised their discipline, which was evident throughout the match.
“I said before the match that Polokwane are probably one of the most disciplined teams in the Premiership,” said Riveiro.
"They are clear about how they want to defend and how to create problems in transition play. It is uncomfortable playing against this team.
“They created some situations that we had to defend. They pushed us to the limit with their set-pieces and transitions.:
“Over all, we had control of the game due to superior possession. It was difficult to convert that possession into an advantage because the rhythm was slow.
"When you try to play in key areas, it is not so difficult for defenders to deal with the situations. You have to dig deep and wait for opportunities to create set-pieces like we did, and then capitalise on one, as we did.”
Riveiro said that once the goal came late in the game, the plan was to protect the lead and secure the three points.
“Knowing Polokwane and this pitch, once you take the lead, you must protect it and run away with the three points. That is what we tried to do,” said Riveiro.
“It was fantastic to collect three points against Polokwane because not every team who plays here can manage that on their home ground.
“For us, it is a massive victory because of our schedule. We’re playing every game on the edge. Now we have to go to the Champions League, then another final in the Nedbank Cup.
"It is the consequence of being competitive from day one. These players, this group, this coaching staff are doing wonders this season; let’s continue until the end.”