AS FAR head coach Alexandre Santos remains confident his side can overturn a 1-0 deficit against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final second leg in Rabat on May 24.
Despite enjoying just 29% possession at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, the Moroccan side showed resilience and threatened on the counter-attack, even though they failed to register a shot on target from six attempts.
A superb free-kick from Aubrey Modiba in the 37th minute proved the difference, but AS FAR stayed competitive throughout the match to keep their hopes alive heading into the return leg at home.
Santos admitted Sundowns are dangerous when allowed space but believes his team can improve, especially after noting earlier continental results where the South Africans have struggled away from home.
“It was tough, very tough and the first half was more than we wanted to close the space, Sundowns is very strong, we did very well,” Santos said.
“We got the ball a lot of times and we made our counter-attacks and transitions very well, we could have done better, and maybe if we made better the second half was easy.
“But when we conceded the goal, it was not our fault but the great ability of the Sundowns player. It’s very difficult, and when Sundowns get space, they are one of the amazing teams on this continent.
“We keep our result to 1-0, we try, we try, but in the end the most important thing is we go to our home confident to get the other result, to score the goals and fight until the end. That is our intention.”
