The Amajita national men’s U20 side lost their first Tri-Nations tournament match against Brazil in England on Wednesday.
Amajita went down 4-0 to Brazil in Burton-Upon-Trent. It was the first of their two matches in the tournament that also involves the host nation.
After a brilliant first half in which they held their own against their much-fancied opponents, Amajita fell apart in the second stanza.
Brazil had made several changes in the opening half, while stand-in Amajita head coach Helman Mkhalele made four changes of his own in the 59th minute. Those changes saw Leo Thethani, Dylan Stoffels, Lyle Foster and Keegan Allan replacing Tashreeq Matthews, Duncan Adonis, Tyrique Bartlett and Luke le Roux respectively.
The move didn’t look to pay dividends though, as the team lost shape and quickly conceded three goals in the space of seven minutes.
The first came in the 62nd minute through Vitinho, and the striker then grabbed his second of the night in the 66th minute to increase his side’s lead.
In an attempt to try and pull one back, the South Africans were caught napping at the back, and Rodrigo Nestor netted Brazil’s third in the 69th minute.
Foster came close to reducing the deficit a short while later after he beat the opposition defence with some skilful play, but his curler went wide.
Brazil’s second-half substitute, Brenner, could easily have made it 4-0 when he managed to beat the offside trap, but was in a hurry to take a shot with the goalkeeper at this mercy, and shot off target.
The fourth goal had to come in the 89th minute through Yuri Alberto, though, and the South Americans romped home 4-0 victors.
Prior to the goal, South Africa had made their fifth substitution, replacing the injured Dean Solomons with Sibusiso Shabane.
It was a good exercise for the youngsters, some of whom were making a first appearance at this level.
The Burger King-sponsored Amajita now face England in the town of Leek on Monday before returning home on Wednesday morning. Kick-off will be at 20:00 SA time.
Here’s how they lined up:
South Africa
Phillip Lesoma (GK), Lethabo Mazibuko, Dean Solomons (Sibusiso Shabane), Leseane Mokgopedi, Siphesihle Mkhize, Duncan Adonis (Dylan Stoffels), Malebogo Modise (C), Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Luke Le Roux (Keegan Allan), Tashreeq Matthews (Leo Thethani), Tyrique Bartlett (Lyle Foster)
Subs: Glen Baadjies (GK), Swelihle Mthiyane, Bafana Tshawe, Thethani, Shabane, Allen, Ngcebo Nala, Foster, Stoffels
Stand-in Head Coach: Helman Mkhalele
Brazil
Lucas Alexandre (GK), Marcos Antonio, Matheus Stockil, Lucas Halter (C), Victor Bobsin, Weverson, Vitinho, Rodrigo Nestor, Lincoln, Helio Junio, Anthony
Subs: Gabriel Brazao (GK), Vitor Eduardo, Edu, Luan Candido, Gustavo Henrique, Luan Pereira, Alan, Brenner, Yuri Alberto
Head coach: Carlos Amadeu