South Africa's philosophy? Keep the ball moving
South Africa faced off against Poland in one of the opening fixtures on Day 6 of the Oslo 2025 Homeless World Cup in the Men’s Stage 2.
Tournament hosts in Cape Town in 2006, the South Africans came into the tie having only lost one match so far against Brazil on Day 3. Likewise, 2005 and 2007 runners-up Poland had only seen one defeat so far, against England on Day 3.
In the end, South Africa ran out 8-1 winners, with their quick passing play and smart
finishing proving too much for a determined Poland side who never quite had their shooting boots on.
Buoyed by the loud chants of ‘Polska!’ from the stands from the Poland’s women’s team, Poland took the lead with a left foot shot into the corner after a great assist. Moments later, South Africa equalised after Poland’s keeper produced a remarkable save to parry the ball away off the line, with the South
Africa player slotting home from the rebound. Poland’s keeper then produced a number of fine saves to keep South Africa from taking the lead, before they did just that off a quick break. Both teams traded chances to score, with the post denying South Africa to take a two-goal lead into half time.
Into the second-half, two smart finishes from close range saw South Africa extend their lead to 4-1, before an amazing flicked assist put them clean through on goal to score their fifth. A great tackle then allowed a South Africa player to bury it by the keeper to make it 6-1. Poland should have scored a second, blazing over with the goal gaping, before a quick from the restart allowed a South Africa player to slide the ball under the keeper to score their seventh. With Poland chasing the game, a great team passing move allowed a South Africa player to finish from a tight angle to score their eighth of the game. At the death, a great block by the South Africa keeper prevented Poland from getting their second.
South Africa coach Bongani Yonnet Mathiso said: “It’s always challenging. There’s no
easy game and in these stages of the tournament the intensity is getting higher. But it was a nice game. The boys were up for it. We take one game at a time. We salute and thank everyone who is coming to support not necessarily just South Africa but the whole initiative.
“Our philosophy is to keep the ball moving. The best way to defend is to always try and keep
the ball and frustrate the opponent. The more we keep the ball, the sooner we are going to create chances and score.”
Words by Craig Williams| Photos by Anita Milas