Sundowns coach Bergman emphasises effort ahead of TS Galaxy clash
Ahead of the weekend’s Gauteng Development League (GDL) action, SuperSport Schools Plus conducted an exclusive interview on Friday with the u19 Mamelodi Sundowns‘ coach, Kristopher Bergman.
He relocated to Gauteng province in January, having previously worked in Cape Town with the Ubuntu Football Academy, one the most respected football development institutions in South Africa.
Bergman remarked on the positive and professional atmosphere at Sundowns, noting that he is accustomed to such an environment due to his experience playing football at a professional level and his tenure at the Ubuntu Football Academy.
He said, too, that the GDL is highly competitive and emphasised that there are no gimmes. One must earn every result, which he believes is a true reflection of what professional football should be.
Bergman also provided a succinct comparison between the football scenes in the Western Cape and Gauteng when asked about the competitive level and intensity in both provinces.
“Both regions [Cape Town and Gauteng] possess their unique advantages,” he said. “In Cape Town, the style of play tends to be more direct. There may be one or two teams that attempt to build their play, to engage in a more structured approach. This tendency is largely due to the conditions, particularly during the winter months, when the availability of suitable pitches for a ball-playing style is limited.
“Consequently, many teams opt for a more direct approach, often utilising crosses into the box. By contrast, Gauteng boasts slightly better facilities, which enables teams to focus on building up play and initiating from the back.
“There is a diverse range of styles. Some teams adopt a direct approach while others prefer a more intricate style, which is beneficial for player development.
“Ultimately, that is our primary objective. We aim for players to experience a variety of football styles against different opponents. Overall, both regions have their strengths and weaknesses, along with areas that could be enhanced,” he said.
Bergman said that during his time as a professional footballer in the Premier Soccer League he was never the biggest or the fastest player, but that forced him to become a student of the game.
“I did not have all the necessary physical tools that one may attribute to a player. I had to think about the game in a deeper way. I had to use the mind more than the body, and I think that really helped me into the coaching side of things because I always had to think about gaining an advantage in certain moments.”
Having played the game at the highest level aids in his man management, he said.
Addressing each situation as it arises is crucial, Bergman explained. Managing the load of several simultaneous competitions that young players face, playing for both schools and clubs, is essential.
Sundowns takes on TS Galaxy on Sunday, at Alex Stadium. With the race for the title intensifying, it is important for the contenders to stack wins and not drop points. The Brazilians are in the thick of the race along with the defending champion Highlands Park, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), Randburg AFC, and SuperSport United.
“I think their last four games they have dropped points and before that they had three wins,” Bergman said of the unpredictable challenge that awaits his side.
TS Galaxy is capable of delivering high-level performances on their best days, and they pose a variety of challenges, he added.
“They excel in set pieces, possess effective long throws, and have skilled players on the wings, who can provide quality crosses into the box.
“We are making the necessary preparations. We understand that we need to go out and compete for every ball.
“No results will be given to us. We have to go out there. We have to go and work for it,” Bergman emphasised.
His team’s preparations have been satisfactory, he told SuperSport Schools Plus, and they have included integrating several u16 players into the u19 team.
“With that, they have brought a bit of youthfulness. Young players come in with this freedom of ideas. It’s just about aligning them with what we want as a team but providing a platform [for them] to go and express themselves without fear. If you good enough, you’re old enough,” he said of the influx of young talent.
“Ultimately, our goal is to establish momentum following a somewhat turbulent period. We must return to our previous winning form,” he concluded.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 30 August
President Park Stadium
15:00 – RESA vs East Rand Athletic Club
Curro Sagewood
15:00 – SuperSport United vs Elspark United
Woodlands International College
14:00 – Seven’s Academy vs Kaizer Chiefs
Greek Sporting Club
15:00 – Joburg City vs Highlands Park
Elandsfontein
15:00 – School of Excellence vs Wits Junior
Tuks Sport Ground
15:00 – Tuks vs Randburg AFC
Southern Suburbs Sports and Recreational Centre
15:00 – Jomo Cosmos vs Kathorus Hyper Academy
ACCP Grounds
15:00 – Rockefvs vs Panorama
Sunday, 31 August
Alex Stadium
15:00 – TS Galaxy vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Balfour Park
15:00 – Highlands Park vs Tuks
Marks Park
15:00 – Wits Junior vs Joburg City
