Following a 5-1 whipping by the Netherlands in an international friendly match at the Cars Jean Stadium in the Hague on Tuesday evening, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has blamed her defence for the loss.
The Dutch gave Banyana no chance beating them with goals from Jackie Gronen, Lineth Beerensteyn, Vivianne Miedema and Damaris Egurrola’s brace. Thembi Kgatlana scored Banyana’s consolation goal.
“Look, I felt that at times our defending let us down. But we also created a few chances. At crucial moments when we looked like we were getting back into the game, we conceded,” Ellis said.
“Immediately after half-time, we had an opportunity to change the scoreline. It was about us trusting ourselves on the ball, we didn’t put the ball on the ground. At times we gave away the ball.”
The 59-year-old former Banyana captain and award-winning coach added that the Dutch tested her players during the match.
“Physically and mentally we were tested. They had the best players in the park against us. I felt we managed at times to contain them. We didn’t handle the set-pieces very well. We are not happy with the scoreline,” Ellis said.
Banyana used the match as part of their preparations for the African Women’s Cup of Nations tournament, which is going to be held in Morocco in July.
