It was Leal's first official match in charge, and the Brazilian is diplomatic about Bucs' performance.
"We created some chances and we wanted to win it in 90 minutes," Leal says. "We brought in some substitutes to boost our attack but we never managed to score until extra-time.
"This was the first official match after 30 days of preparation and there is still room for improvement. But it was a good start and we will get better with time."
Bucs struggled to create scoring chances, and it took two hours of football before the goal finally came from defender Siyabonga Sangweni in extra-time.
But Leal says striker Bongani Ndulula can only benefit from playing alongside Benni McCarthy this season.
"We have 'Drogba' Ndulula, who scored some crucial goals last season, but he is still very new in the PSL.
"We also have the experienced Benni McCarthy and we will see how he responds to get to his peak fitness level, and we will take it from there."
Santos coach Boebie Solomons says his team did well, despite the loss, and is confident they will have a good season, given their performance on the day.
"We did fairly well and created some chances," he says. "It was not going to be easy against the treble champions but we did well and competed.
"We missed a lot of players through injuries and supensions but I am happy with the youngsters. We created chances and had some shots at goals.
"Even after the goal they scored we reacted positely and had some great shots. We are disappointed about losing but honestly we were not disgraced. We are improving on our attacking play and defensively we are still well organised."
Your comments on this story...
happy though with what I saw from the Downs, nice flair and skill worth looking at, Ajax were really good, hope Chiefs give us more this afternoon, Man City please do what you did to Man U again.
Rise Khosi rise
Up The Bucs...
wat a lucky team packet...
Shadrack AKA Mzimela: 2011-08-07 11:51 [ Report ]
This coach is so blind, 0 shot at goal at half time that game was boring, this Pirates team is pathetic to say the least, Krol would be missed and I`m sure of it now, they do not attack opposing players they just play and hope for the best, Chances what chances? No chances was created here, even the senior team or the under 17 of Brazil do not play eeish football like that. if I was a Pirates fan I will worry with that night vigil game they played last night.
happy though with what I saw from the Downs, nice flair and skill worth looking at, Ajax were really good, hope Chiefs give us more this afternoon, Man City please do what you did to Man U again.
Rise Khosi rise
Iam not supprise to how u zebra's always post bad comments abwt the champs. u r a very boring team in the psl which always break its own history by being beaten by vodacom and 1st division teams and yet call urself a big team. sis
Cn zebra's stop barking until the end of the game. I wonder what names they will be calling their coach and plyrs after the match, eishhhhhh I forgot "THIS IS NOT NEDBANK, SO THERES NO VODACOM(BARROKA) AND 1ST DIVISIONS TEAMS(AMATUKS)"......LOL
Pirates did well against a very disciplined, organised & hard running Santos team. We don't need & we certainly don't expect Chiefs fans to appreciate our play especially after the abuse they got from us in the last two weeks.
This team will get better & better. We will not miss Krol because we will now not only win our games but we will do so in style. It's still early days, the coach will eventually get his tactics into the players minds.
You have our full support Mr Leal.
Once a Happy Person Always a Happy Ghost
Why din't you sign Kroll?
What suspensions is Boebie talking about in the first official game of the season.