Kusini Yengi, the Portsmouth striker, relished the opportunity to face Ricardo Santos, a highly regarded defender named in League One’s EFL and PFA Teams of the Year last season. Despite being a stand-in for the injured Colby Bishop against Bolton, Yengi played a crucial role in Portsmouth’s 2-0 victory, using his physicality to outmaneuver Santos.
In an interview with The News, Yengi expressed his satisfaction with the battle against Santos, stating, “It was a great battle, I think I got the upper hand. I love those challenges, playing against big players and good players. I enjoyed it.” The Australian international acknowledged Santos as a formidable defender but asserted that he performed better in their encounter.
Yengi, who scored Portsmouth’s second goal, emphasized his ability to handle physical battles and also utilize other attributes such as running in behind. He highlighted the importance of staying focused and not letting unfavorable decisions affect his performance on the pitch.
John Mousinho anticipated last night being #Pompey's 'toughest test' of the season. Here's what he had to say about what unfolded. https://t.co/yUrpEteNFl
— Neil Allen (@pn_neil_allen) December 12, 2023
The match against Bolton marked Yengi’s first start at Fratton Park and his sixth goal in 13 appearances for Portsmouth. Despite spending much of his time on the bench and featuring in cup starts due to injuries and the quality of Colby Bishop, Yengi expressed confidence that he can continue to improve with more match minutes in English football.
Reflecting on his limited playing time at Fratton Park, Yengi stated, “I’m just getting started here, 100 per cent I can get better. I haven’t played too many minutes, the more I play with the boys and the more I get used to the league and the style of play, I am going to keep getting better and better.”
The 24-year-old striker is determined to make the most of his opportunities, acknowledging that consistent playing time will contribute to his growth and adaptation to the English game. Yengi’s performance against a seasoned defender like Santos has boosted his confidence, and he looks forward to making further contributions to Portsmouth’s success in the league.
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