Despite loss, Banyana coach Ellis is happy with Brazil test

SPORT

It is only their intensity levels, big match temperament and finishing that need improvement.

Head coach Desiree Ellis said they will plan property for the game.

She said:

It showed in their first match against Brazil, who are ninth on the Fifa rankings, at Orlando Stadium on Friday as Banyana were brought down to earth with a 3-0 defeat.

In their last meeting, Banyana held Brazil to a goalless draw in the group stage of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, but the South Americans were too strong this time around.

However, despite the heavy defeat, Banyana showed signs that they can stand their ground against the world’s best. It was also Banyana’s first outing since winning their historic maiden CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title in Morocco two months ago.

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Brazil, on the other hand, were in action last month when they beat hosts Colombia 1-0 to clinch their eighth Copa América Feminina title, South America’s equivalent of the Wafcon.

In typical Brazilian style, the visitors attacked South Africa from the first whistle and never allowed their hosts to settle in their patient build-up play from the back.

Ahead of the second match at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow evening, Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said her team got exactly what they were looking for from playing the Brazilians.

“We knew that they were going to press us high. We looked at the footage of their games at the Copa América. But we wanted to trust ourselves,” Ellis said.

“We wanted to try to play out of the press because that is what is going to happen at the World Cup. If you can’t learn how to play out of that high press, then you are going to be on the back foot