Germany vs Bafana: a match of losers
Published
Hamburg - When Germany and South Africa take to the field in the Weser Stadium in Bremen on Wednesday it will be a match of two losers who are looking to overcome huge disappointment.
Germany looked a disjointed team in their 2-0 defeat in Bratislava on Saturday and were harshly criticised in the media and from fans, but at least know that the unexpected defeat will be without consequences.
South Africa, on the other hand, were unceremoniously bundled out of the World Cup next year by a 3-1 defeat in Ouagadougou against Burkina Faso and might as well make the most of their visit to Germany as they will not be returning next year.
German coach Juergen Klinsmann said that even though he was disappointed with the result against Slovakia, he called on people to accept the defeat. "We need to learn to take these defeats, just as we enjoy our victories."
The harshest criticism after the Slovakia game was levelled at the defence and it is likely that Klinsmann will give Arne Friedrich, who had to miss the trip to Slovakia through illness a chance to play in the defence and he could also draft in local hero Torsten Frings, who also failed to make the trip to Bratislava, in his case due to an injury.
South African coach Stuart Baxter, who must know that his days as Bafana coach are numbered - and that probably in days and weeks rather than months - could well field several players who are not considered regulars.
The Briton was very disappointed by the side in Burkina Faso and said afterwards that some of his players had failed to live up to the occasion.
Against Burkina Faso Baxter used many of the experienced players like Shaun Bartlett, Benni McCarthy and Siyabonga Nomvete, but as they have - once again - disappointed, there are calls to start afresh with a new players.
Baxter two months ago took a side of inexperienced locally-based players to the Gold Cup in the US and managed to get to the quarterfinals after beating Mexico and although not many of them were called up for the squad against Burkina Faso, it seems likely that at least some of them will get a run against the three-time world champions.
For both teams then, the game offers an opportunity to make amends for Saturday's disappointment, but whether even a victory for either side will achieve that remains to be seen. - Sapa-DPA