Loss doesn’t shake Goncalves confidence

Despite a subpar performance against Argentina on Tuesday, Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves says the Palancas will be ready to do some damage at the World Cup.

“I continue to believe that we will create a surprise,” he said.

“Those are the three games I am worried about. Even if I know it will be difficult to play Portugal, Mexico and Iran, I know that Angola will be more motivated.”

As is usually the case, the Professor is correct. The Argentina match just showed the team that it needs to work even harder to get to the point where it needs to be. It also showed that our midfield is going to need to step up in a big way or else we might be in for trouble in Germany. It demonstrated that our backline needs to do a better job of marking their men and that our forwards need to finish when they have good opportunities.

I do happen think the next exhibition match against Turkey is even more important than the game against Argentina, however. If the Palancas can come out and control the run of play more than they did against Argentina than the team’s confidence will rise. It won’t be easy since Turkey is a very talented team, but our players know the level they need to reach. Now it is only a matter of them getting there.

If Goncalves still has faith in his players than so do I!