Malawi Beach Soccer National Team coach Willy Kumilambe is confident that his charges will progress to the semi-finals of the Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship despite 5-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Monday at South Beach Arena in Durban South Africa.
Group A is wide open after all the four teams have three points each at the end of Match Day Two.
Following the heavy defeat, Malawi anchor Group A as Saudi Arabia which pulled a big win top the group on goal difference. Seychelles also lost their second match 3-2 to hosts South Africa are second. The hosts occupy third spot in the group.
Kumilambe was disappointed with the loss to Saudi Arabia.
“We lost the match due to silly mistakes. The boys played in their heads, probably they thought it was going to be easy but I know the mistakes so we will rectify them before we face Seychelles,” said Kumilambe.
The gaffer believes the loss to Saudi Arabia is water under the bridge as his troops turn attention to Seychelles match tomorrow.
“The toughest match was against South Africa. Now, everyone has same advantages and disadvantages but I promise that we are going to win against Seychelles,” said Kumilambe.
After a barren first period of the match, it rained goals in the last two periods. Sandram Saddie Usi opened the scoring but Saudi Arabia fought back to get five goals. Dakman scored three goals, Aldouasri and Alhamami scored a goal each.
This is Malawi’s heaviest defeat at the Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship so far.
Tuesday is rest day and action will resume on Wednesday with last pool stage matches. Malawi will meet Seychelles while Saudi Arabia and South Africa face-off in another potentially exciting match.
The winners will progress to the semi-finals. In Group B, Angola are top with five points from two matches while Morocco are second with three points.
Mozambique are third with three points while Tanzania anchor the group without a point.
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