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Pirates coach praises Celtic

SoccerNews in Scottish Premier League 19 Dec 2011

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Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal said Bloemfontein Celtic were hungrier for the win on Sunday.

A Clifford Mulenga goal in the 14th minute gave Celtic their first victory over the reigning Premiership champions since 2007.

Leal said Celtic deserved their victory.

“We didn’t start well, the approach to the game was not with the fighting spirit that the opponents had,” he told reporters.

“They took advantage tactically and scored the goal. Things then became difficult for us, even though we created a lot of chances, we were under pressure.”

“Opportunities were created but we didn’t make use of them.”

“Congratulations to the opponents, they played a good game, some of their players played above their standard and they really they deserve to win.”

Leal also explained why Moeneeb Josephs, Andile Jali and Daine Klate started on the bench.

“The problem that we had this week, three of our starters didn’t train during the week due to being sick (‘flu) and as we practised very well we thought the fresh legs coming in … but we couldn’t perform in the first half,” he said.

“But in the beginning it was not good – not because of fresh legs, tactics or celebrations: the opponents did better.”

“Their approach to counter-attack very quick with four strikers made big problems for us, and when we started to control the situation it was already too late and the goal had already been scored.”

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