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Brazil Game Was A 'Great Learning Experience' For South Africa - Steven Pienaar
Defender Booth said that it was a big confidence booster for South Africa to see the USA beating Spain, while midfielder Pienaar says they've learned much from losing to Brazil ...
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Jun 26, 2009 7:39:21 PM
Steven Pienaar has admitted that even though it was a shame for South Africa to lose to Brazil in the Confederations Cup semi-final, it was a "great learning experience".
The hosts managed to hold the South American side until the final minutes of the match when Daniel Alves scored from a free-kick.
Even though that goal knocked South Africa out of the tournament, Pienaar told FIFA.com his side have learnt from what have they been through.
"It's a shame because we know there was something we could have achieved from the game but it was a great learning experience. The World Cup is still a long way off but we have a young team and we can only build on this," he explained.
"That confidence is what's been lacking in the game. We've been talking a lot about self-belief and that came but unfortunately we played against a superior team who can score from anywhere."
Along with Pienaar, Matthew Booth, one of the star players at the tournament, insisted that despite the result, his team have progressed, and that seeing the United States beat Spain did help.
"That was a good confidence booster for us. Once we started playing and held them in the first half it was similar to the Spain game ... you could see the change in attitude as we knew they were there for the taking. Unfortunately we couldn't take our chances but I think we've changed a lot of journalists' minds and proved a lot of people wrong," he said.
Booth was also asked about the situation with Benni McCarthy, who has been left out of the squad recently due to off the field issues.
The defender said that they could be more clinical, but that it is important for them to keep up the same level they have shown over the last few weeks.
"Other strikers have come to the fore and that's a positive. I wish we were more clinical but that will come with time. For most of the players this was their first major tournament and it's very important we keep this level in the games we've got coming up and all the way to 2010," he mused.
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
The hosts managed to hold the South American side until the final minutes of the match when Daniel Alves scored from a free-kick.
Even though that goal knocked South Africa out of the tournament, Pienaar told FIFA.com his side have learnt from what have they been through.
"It's a shame because we know there was something we could have achieved from the game but it was a great learning experience. The World Cup is still a long way off but we have a young team and we can only build on this," he explained.
"That confidence is what's been lacking in the game. We've been talking a lot about self-belief and that came but unfortunately we played against a superior team who can score from anywhere."
Along with Pienaar, Matthew Booth, one of the star players at the tournament, insisted that despite the result, his team have progressed, and that seeing the United States beat Spain did help.
"That was a good confidence booster for us. Once we started playing and held them in the first half it was similar to the Spain game ... you could see the change in attitude as we knew they were there for the taking. Unfortunately we couldn't take our chances but I think we've changed a lot of journalists' minds and proved a lot of people wrong," he said.
Booth was also asked about the situation with Benni McCarthy, who has been left out of the squad recently due to off the field issues.
The defender said that they could be more clinical, but that it is important for them to keep up the same level they have shown over the last few weeks.
"Other strikers have come to the fore and that's a positive. I wish we were more clinical but that will come with time. For most of the players this was their first major tournament and it's very important we keep this level in the games we've got coming up and all the way to 2010," he mused.
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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