MTNFootball

Clinton Larsen, coach of Bloemfontein Celtic during the MTN8 Quarter Finals Press Conference

Bloemfontein Celtic coach, Clinton Larsen, was very vocal about his side’s 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 quarterfinal blaming poor officiating for his side’s loss.

The Phunya Sele Sele were on the end of a speculative decision in their MTN8 match as the referee awarded a penalty to the defending champions after Kurt Lentjies slipped inside the box and accidently handled the ball.

“Up until they got the dubious penalty we were well in the game. We had a few good chances, but we didn’t take them once again.

“But I got to really look at that (penalty decision) – I don’t think Lentjies put his hand out to handle the ball, so we feel a little bit hard done by this evening,” said Larsen after the match.

Celtic were by no means outmatched and many will agree with Larsen’s views and even the Buccaneers coach Augusto Palacios admits it was a tough game, but a game he thought his side deserved to win.

“It was a difficult game – Very tough (opponents).

“We missed some opportunities in the box, we had about two or three chances, but that is part of football.

“We did better second half – we played the ball more on the ground and open wide. The goal is coming because we insist,” said Palacios.

For Larsen and his men, he admits he was happy with his team’s performance and now it will be back to focusing on the league and their first match of the Premiership campaign against Black Leopards.

“I am happy with my whole team – they gave it their all tonight, they held their own against a very good Pirates team – So I am proud of my boys’ effort tonight.

“Back to working hard at training and we will turn it around against Leopards,” concluded the Celtic coach.