Vilakazi happy Arrows are finding attack/defence balance

Golden Arrows are slowly getting their groove back and coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi says it was all through hard work they put in.

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The Durban side eked out a good win against provincial neighbours Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match on Saturday. 

Arrows won the match 1-0 at King Zwelithini Stadium through Ryan Moon’s first half goal.

“We knew it was going to be difficult… playing against people who are looking to redeem themselves,” said Vilakazi. 

“But we had to fight in order to be victorious in this game. Our game plan worked, especially. 

“We surprised them by playing two strikers and it was a problem for them because they then had to adjust. 

“And luckily enough Ryan managed to score and then had to try and protect what we had.

“But we didn’t play defensively, we still were still going forward and trying to create scoring opportunities for Knox and our number 10. 

“We tried to score more, but it was not meant to be. But the boys fought very hard for the three points. 

“We needed the points because we wanted to sit on 32 points.”

Arrows are now in seventh place and closer to being safe from relegation which was a worry a few weeks ago as results were not forthcoming. 

Vilakazi said their new attacking approach of using two strikers could what they use going forward. 

Arrows’ new attacking style

“When I spoke to the players during the week, I told them that on paper we look good with two strikers but it is up to them to make sure the functioning of this system,” he added.

“We can go for it again in the next game because we got something out of it. 

“And above everything else, I have to commend the players for their work rate and effort. 

“We had to grind, it was not easy but we managed to do it.”

Vilakazi was also happy that his team managed to keep another clean sheet which was their third in a row.

“We had a challenge with our defensive structure where we were conceding a goal or two (per game),” he said.

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“So, we had to work on our defensive structure and also on our offensive structure… 

“You have to balance the two. You try to focus on your structure defensively, and (then) you lack on your offensive display. 

“We had to manage with Mabhuti (Khenyeza, his co-coach) to make it work for us in terms of finding the balance,” said Vilakazi.