Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla believes his side’s preparation for Kaizer Chiefs was vindicated despite being held to a goalless draw in the Betway Premiership.
The two teams could not be separated at Mbombela Stadium, but Dladla felt Arrows had created enough opportunities to claim all three points.
The coach said his team had specifically targeted the spaces created by Chiefs’ formation, particularly in the wide areas.
“We planned very well, especially how we were going to open them up front,” Dladla told SuperSport. “We knew with the three centre-backs and the fullbacks going up front there would be spaces, especially on the channels.”
Dladla pointed to crosses from Sabelo Sithole and Ronaldo Van Neel as examples of situations Arrows had rehearsed, although they were unable to produce the finishing touch.
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“We knew that if we stayed wide they were going to be open in the box, but we created clearer chances than them,” he said. “I thought we deserved at least maximum points this afternoon.”
Arrows did at least secure a clean sheet, but Dladla wants his team to become more ruthless in front of goal.
“We know the areas we need to improve,” he said. “We managed to keep a clean sheet, but sometimes you just get one goal and take the maximum points.”
The draw leaves Arrows with encouragement from their defensive display, while Dladla will now focus on turning promising attacking situations into victories.