- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER - South Africa's Confederations Cup squad announced
- Date: 5th June 2009
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG; SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 4, 2009) (REUTERS) WIDE OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL COACHING TEAM MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Portugues) COACH JOEL NATALINO SANTANA SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER SAYING: "We are preparing ourselves to play anyone of those teams, Spain is rated as number one, we all know who Brazil is and Italy are the current champions. "We have been watching them, we are watching them. We respect them, but we are not afraid of them, and we are going to have the upper hand, and the difference is going to be the support. The difference is we are in South Africa, and don't doubt it we are very enthusiastic and serious to represent the country. "We are very proud of the work that we have done together so far. The team is ours, it's not mine. We will keep working hard and respect all the teams that are coming into our country, but you can be assured that we are working hard as far as possible." SANTANA ADDRESSING THE MEDIA MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA SEATED VARIOUS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SQUAD IN ORLANDO STADIUM
- Embargoed: 20th June 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA9AERWYQSFIINAX1OORQRUBPZP
- Story Text: Coach Joel Natalino Santana announces his final 23-man squad that will represent the country at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
South African National football squad coach Joel Natalino Santana announced his final 23-man squad that will represent the country at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup on Thursday (June 4).
In selecting the team Santana said he observed the players over a 21 day period which started at a camp on the May 13, mainly focusing on their physical condition, technical and tactical awareness as well as on their medical and emotional condition.
Although South Africa go into the tournament as an underdog, Santana says his players will not be afraid when they come up against the strong sides.
"We are preparing ourselves to play anyone of those teams, Spain is rated as number one, we all know who Brazil is and Italy are the current champions," he said at a news conference, adding that home support would be a big factor for his team.
"We respect them, but we are not afraid of them, and we are going to have the upper hand, and the difference is going to be the support. The difference is we are in South Africa, and don't doubt it we are very enthusiastic and serious to represent the country.
"The team is ours, it's not mine. We will keep working hard and respect all the teams that are coming into our country, but you can be assured that we are working hard as far as possible."
The coach says he initially chose 30 players, later to become 23 in line with FIFA regulations, because the soccer season in South Africa ended early in May and therefore had to take into consideration that some players may pick up injuries and others may not be match fit. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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