TS Galaxy boss Bernard Parker sees positives despite late Mamelodi Sundowns defeat

TS Galaxy coach Bernard Parker says his side can build on their performance against Mamelodi Sundowns, despite suffering a painful 3-2 defeat in the Betway Premiership at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

The Rockets appeared on course for a notable victory after striker Victor Letsoalo scored twice to put them ahead. However, a late lapse in concentration allowed Sphelele Mkhulise to score twice, giving Mamelodi Sundowns all three points.

Parker accepted that TS Galaxy needed to manage the closing stages more effectively, but believes the performance also showed encouraging signs as the team looks to develop.

“We take a lot of positives from this game. We played against the number one team in Africa, and we managed to go pound for pound with them. There were times where we sat back and invited pressure, and there were times where we pressed them high and forced errors and got chances as well,” Parker told the media during the post-match press conference.

The coach highlighted the determination and physical commitment shown by his players, while also challenging them to produce their strongest spells more consistently.

“The resilience, intensity and aggression that we have, I take out from the game. We’ve got a concept, and it is for us to make sure that when we play, we do it in what will make us look better and have those types of spells for a longer period in the game for us to win.”

Defensive concerns

The result means TS Galaxy have conceded five goals across their opening two matches of the season. Parker identified defending attacks from wide areas as an issue that must be addressed quickly.

“We’ve been working on it in terms of our defence principles, how we want to guard against the crosses, the wide entries that’s where we concede mostly,” he said.

Parker said his team remained strong when defending centrally, but had been vulnerable when opponents delivered crosses, cutbacks or attacked from wide positions.

“Central, we are solid; it is just in wide entries where we concede a lot, and according to my analyses and my research, 67% of the goals in the PSL are scored from wide entries where there are crosses, cutbacks and players who come from wide entries.

“It seems like we need to work more on that because we do get a goal, no matter what, we will get a goal or more, whether it is open play or set play.

“We just need to have better communication and take more leadership in terms of seeing early. I think we will do better in our defending, but it is also a good thing identifying these things early in the season because we want to improve as we approach games.”

TS Galaxy’s next fixture is against Golden Arrows at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday, August 16.