Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro understands his Pyramids FC counterpart Krunoslav Jurcic’s frustrations.
Jurcic was frustrated after two of Pyramids FC’s goals were overruled by VAR during the 0-0 draw in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinal clash at the FNB Stadium.
“For me, I won the match today 2-0. I like Africa but not in this way,” said Jurcic.
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Riveiro, however, does not agree with his counterpart’s view, saying the officials did well to disallow the Pyramids goals.
“There were no goals. If the referee says there are no goals, then there are no goals, so we can’t speak about disallowed goals because there were no goals,” Riveiro told the media at FNB Stadium.
“Obviously, it’s something new to us because we’re not used to playing with a VAR. I understand the frustration of the opponent. But I’m sure that once they get the opportunity to check the actions carefully, they’ll realise that the referee was right.
“Unfortunately for them this time around the decisions were in favour of Orlando Pirates. But like I said, we need to get used to playing with this kind of technology because that’s the way football is going. But I think in this instance the referee and his assistants did a good job,” added Riveiro.
‘It was a good game’
Commenting on the game, Riveiro bemoaned lack of goals in the “attractive” spectacle at FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
“It was a good game from both sides, with two different approaches. An attractive [spectacle] for the supporters and neither team played for time. It was a controlled approach from us in the beginning of both halves, but we had less control at the end of both halves.
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“There were good opportunities for both teams and like I said in the post-match interviews after the game, it was not a nil-nil game. It was a game that should have finished with goals. But it’s nil-nil and I’m anticipating a good game next Friday,” concluded Riveiro.
Pirates and Pyramids will meet again in the second leg in Egypt on Friday.
