Tuks looking to back up 'QF win'
If you’re good enough to reach the semifinals, you’re good enough to clinch the title – irrespective of your log position. Those are the wise words of FNB Tuks coach Freddie Grobler ahead of next week’s Varsity Cup semifinal clash against the defending champion Maties.
Tuks will board their flight to Cape Town with this in mind for the re-match with Maties in their FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International semifinal on Monday, March 23 at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
“The win against Maties was awesome because for us it was as good as a quarterfinal,” Grobler told varsitycup.co.za.
“Luck was – at last I should add – on our side. Any festivities were, however, shortlived because of the steep road still ahead of us. We don’t want our campaign to end in the semifinals again (like in 2008).”
For Grobler, the win represents a massive psychological advantage as “we, and they, now know that you’re only as good as you last 80 minutes. No team is blessed with invincibility”.
Grobler added that Tuks’ self-belief would therefore at least be on par with that of Maties.
“We know they will be much tougher opponents to beat in the semifinals. They are the defending champions after all, but this will also add to the pressure on them to perform accordingly,” said Grobler.
It goes without saying that Tuks will lay much emphasis on discipline, concentration and goal-kicking in their semifinal preparations.
By Morris Gilbert
