23 November 2008

Defeat leaves coach unhappy

Coach Gordon Igesund was an unhappy man after the game against Santos in Cape Town as he felt his side could have gotten more out of the match.

Friday night's game was closer than the score-line suggested - Santos scored late in each half, while United also had a penalty saved and missed a clear-cut opportunity through Tony Tsabedze.

To add to their woes, the People's Team's second goal was scored from a free kick, which was dubiously awarded when Maritzburg goal keeper Athiel Mbaha was deemed to have handled the ball outside the area while taking a goal kick.

SuperSport panellist Shane MacGregor concurred with coach Gordon Igesund that it was rather a harsh decision.

Igesund believes that the ruling by the assistant referee could well have cost United the game because at that stage of proceedings they were pushing hard for an equaliser.

“Obviously we are disappointed with the result and some of the decisions that went against us.

”I don’t think the free kick that lead to their second goal should not have been awarded, and those kind of decisions kill you. I haven't seen the replay yet, but I'm prepared to wager that it was not a hand-ball,” Igesund said after the game.

While it was by no means a poor performance by United – they gave everything they could in the second half, Igesund did admit that the home side deserved the three points.

“To be fair to Santos they deserved the win, they beat us fair and square. But I am still disappointed with these decisions - they are killing our game and are then swept under the carpet.”