Akan fine with score, but not the pitch |
Civics coach Ali Akan believes that his side could have score more goals against Blue Boys at the weekend, if the Tamariskia Field in Swakopmund could have been conforming to the Fifa standards. Despite coming out as 1-0 victors through a late goal by defender Franklin April with seven minutes to go, Akan said the pitch was too wide and made if difficult for his side to play their norma game. "The field was 80 by 70 metres and that is way too large for any football match. We struggled to contain the ball infield and had to play wide throughout the entire match," he said. "But overall, we are happy with the performance and we are looking forward to our next match. We have build up great momentum at training last week and that carried us through nicely in that match. We are confident that we will pick up and hit the top gear in the coming matches," said the much travelled gaffer. Civics striker Costa Khaiseb also complained about the pitch which in his view was extremely bumpy. "It was bumpy and had patches that at times made it difficult for us to control the ball. But one cannot complain about that as we got the points that we needed and obviously we wont play them there again as they have to make their way to Windhoek in the second round," he said. Khaiseb, who signed with the side this season and possibly one of Namibia's most experienced strikers also argues that they could have scored at least five goals, but could not connect perfectly due to a bumpy field which also not correct in size. Civics recorded their first victory of the season against a side that was promoted to the MTC Premiership this season. Civics next takes on Eleven Arrows at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday and with the win against Blue Boys, they have now four points and are in sixth spot on the log. |