Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has insisted his team should have killed the game in the first half against Orlando Pirates, while praising the performance of his young squad despite the defeat.

Chiefs lost 2-1 at a sold-out FNB Stadium. Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi scored for the home side on either side of the break, while Pule Mmodi had netted a first-half equaliser for Amakhosi. The result sent Pirates to the top of the table after a thrilling Soweto Derby.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has reportedly criticised the officiating after his side's 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby. Speaking after the match, Da Cruz claimed his team effectively played against 12 men, arguing that Pirates should have received a red card in the first half. The Chiefs coach felt the decision, or lack of one, had a major influence on the outcome. His comments are likely to spark widespread debate among supporters, while the match officials may face further public scrutiny following the result.

"In the first half we must kill this game," he said on SuperSport TV. "Normally, it should be 2 or 3-0, because the goal of Pirates was offside and maybe there was a red card as well."

Da Cruz believes that if his side had scored two or three goals before half-time, the match would have been over. He admitted that his young players lacked experience in the final 20 minutes, which allowed Pirates to create more chances and push for the winner.

"We know where we must improve," he said. Despite the loss, the coach was proud of his players. "I am very happy about the team, because we are a young team. We are also missing five injured players, but we played well against a team like Pirates, so I want to congratulate the players. In the last 20 minutes we were tired."

Chiefs will now look to bounce back quickly, and the young squad will hope to learn from the derby as the season continues. Supporters will be watching closely to see how the team responds.

Source: IDiskiTimes