Joel Santana needs to win against the Kiwis otherwise its over for South Africa and the end of the road for him.
The media was none too impressed with his Iraq efforts.
He was widely perceived as failing to adapt to Bora Milutinovic’s ultra defensive approach.
The Daily Times:
But glaringly, Santana did not see reason to alter his tactics and introduce more attack-minded players, keeping men such as Steven Pienaar (although still not fully fit) and Katlego Mashego on the bench until it was too late, while Siphiwe Tshabalala and Elrio van Heerden were not even used as Santana packed his under-worked defence.
Cape Argus:
Three defensive midfielders – one, Benson Mhlongo, lying deep in defence – didn’t help matters. No width, no wingers and nothing in the way of attacking creativity, this was the story of a rather listless afternoon for Bafana.
Mail and Guardian Online:
Even an amateur coach could see that it was obvious Iraq had come for a point and to frustrate the host nation. The initiative lay with Santana as the home coach to take risks and, he failed by opting for a measly point that in the end might not be enough to help Bafana into the semifinals.
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