Parker: I'm a big fan of Letsoalo
by Kickoff writer · KickOffTS Galaxy head coach Bernard Parker admits the late 3-2 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns was a bitter pill to swallow, but hailed the display from his players.
Galaxy trailed very early through a penalty by Brayan Leon, but bounced back just before halftime courtesy of Victor Letsoalo, who completed his brace in the second half, but Sundowns hit back with two late goals of their own.
It is the Rockets first defeat of the season in their second match having drawn their opener against Siwelele FC.
READ | 5-GOAL Thriller: Downs sink Galaxy with late winner
“Tough one, hard one to swallow, we had a game-plan, stuck to the game-plan, we showed tenacity, we showed the unity, and the main objective for us was to attack the space behind which we did well, got a couple of chances,” Parker told SuperSport TV.
“We managed to get a goal, managed to get another goal on set-plays, which we worked a lot on, we scored last week on set-plays, we continue to get a goal again on set-plays but overall I’m proud of the boys in terms of how they conduct themselves.
“Just a lapse of concentration after being in front, we put in an extra defender to make sure we keep it solid in the central space of the field and then Sundowns added more attackers as well and they overloaded the sides and that’s where the two goals come on the right side for them to win the match.
“But I’m happy with the boys, the way they conduct themselves, just a little bit of lapse of concentration. I hope we will learn from this, there’s still a long season ahead and for us to build on this in terms of the way we want to play and how we play.
READ | 'He deserved to be carried by me' - Cardoso hails Mkhulise
“I’m also very proud of Victor as well, I’m a big fan of Victor Letsoalo in terms of the leadership he showed in front. I’m also proud of Zulu at the back as well in terms of the leadership he showed, he kept Leon quiet, Leon couldn’t do anything. He kept him quiet.
“But overall we have got a good mix of senior players and youngsters, we just got to make sure we learn and we keep learning and we keep improving and for us to make sure next game against Arrows that we continue with this performance and we try and keep a clean-sheet because I believe with the type of style we play we always get a goal in a game. So, it’s just for us to keep it clean at the back,” he added.