Jose Riveiro: Fair to draw against Mamelodi Sundowns with 10 men

Pirates came out guns blazing to surprise Sundowns in the opening 45 minutes, but were unable to convert their superiority into goals, before going a man down when midfielder Miguel Timm was sent off early in the second half. 

REPORT: Orlando Pirates restrict Mamelodi Sundowns to draw

Riveiro was pleased with the sharpness in their first game back after over six weeks off due to the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and felt they could have gotten more than the 1-1 draw had they not played with only nine outfield players.

"Positively surprised about the rhythm in the first half. I think we were superior clearly, we managed to put the game in situations that we wanted, [but] a little details in the final third didn't allow us to get the lead in the first half," said the Spaniard.

"Besides the runnings of Peter [Shalulile] behind Thabiso [Monyane] a couple of times and some set-pieces where they are really good, but fortunately for us, we didn't have news [sic] about our goalkeeper in the first 45 minutes.

"In the second half, it was a pity that we had to face a very long time with 10 players, and the game obviously changed – we had to defend a little bit lower [because] there's no way you can continue pressing Sundowns high with only nine outfield players.

"Overall, I think the result was fair because of the situation in the second half. It's a pity we couldn't compete 11 vs 11 until the end, but it is what it is. We came for three points and we leave with one, so I cannot say we are happy."

Riveiro further claimed The Buccaneers in fact prepared for the likelihood of having a numerical disadvantage. 

"We were prepared for that scenario because we knew it was a possibility, you just have to check the stats, so we were prepared to play with 10 men," he added.

"That's why we didn't shake, we didn't have doubts about what to do because we knew that it's one of the probabilities, and it happened."

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