Stars put up a scintillating performance, showing an improved way of play that included passing and building from the back, in what fans have now christened as ‘Firat ball.”
Though the Turkish tactician says he might tinker with his tactics a bit as he plans to change a bit of personnel, he says the idea will remain the same, as he looks to build a team playing modern football in the simplest and most efficient of ways.
“We play from behind, we change sides to find free space and this is the point we have been working on. I know in the long term I will get a result. We are on the right way. People have to go away from looking for the results. For me, these friendly games are a focus for development and you saw how we played against Qatar,” the tactician said.
“We played at a facility that is world class and for some of the players, it was like travelling to Mars. We played how I would like us to be playing. Against South Sudan, we expect the same; to be patient, pass the ball well and get the chances and hopefully we will get the result,” Firat added.
He expects a different challenge from the Bright Stars of South Sudan, and with Johnstone Omurwa and Ayub Timbe missing, he will switch up his tactics and personnel but the ideas will remain the same.
“It will be a totally different match playing against young players who run like crazy. It is not easy to open them up and we need to be patient. We will make a different structure for sure because we are missing some players but we will have solutions,”
“The boys have shown that we can close the gap and the main point for us is to grow and play well, manage the game and keep the ball because that is the only way to go somewhere in modern football,” said the tactician.
The sentiments are shared by skipper Michael Olunga who says they will go all out to get a good result but more so perform well and play entertaining football.
“The team has really improved over time because the coach is trying to assemble a good squad with a blend of young and experienced players and he has also been giving local players a chance in the team. I believe we are on the right path,” Olunga said.
On what to expect from South Sudan he noted; “It is always difficult when you play against your neighbors. They have quite a good and athletic team with players of good physicality. We will need different strategies and I am optimistic the players who will be given a chance will do the job.”
The game kicks off at 4pm.
