Mamelodi Sundowns may have suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, but head coach Miguel Cardoso insists his side left the pitch with heads held high after a valiant performance in their FIFA Club World Cup Group F clash.
The encounter, played at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a pulsating affair that saw both sides produce attacking football of the highest quality.
Sundowns surprised their German opponents by taking an early lead through forward Lucas Ribeiro. However, Dortmund – powered by their Bundesliga pedigree – fought back strongly, gradually seizing control and eventually edging the seven-goal spectacle.
Yet, despite the final result, Cardoso remained full of praise for his players. He insisted they matched the level of one of Europe’s finest teams.
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The Portuguese tactician expressed mixed emotions after the contest. Although disappointed by the loss, he found satisfaction in his team’s competitiveness and spirit.
“Not being happy in this moment is a good feeling,” Cardoso remarked. He also highlighted that Sundowns successfully tested themselves against world-class opposition.
The gaffer stressed that the performance mirrored the true identity of Sundowns, a team known for flair and tactical discipline. Cardoso pointed out that possession stats and expected goals were in favour of the South Africans.
Moreover, he proudly declared that his side played their trademark “shoe shine and piano” style at the highest level, even against such formidable opponents.
Nevertheless, the manager admitted that mistakes at key moments had been costly, while also applauding his players for their resilience and determination to recover from difficult spells during the match. He revealed that the half-time team talk had been one of the toughest since his arrival, given how rarely Sundowns trail by a large margin.
Now, the Brazilians must beat Fluminense in their final group game to secure passage to the Round of 16. Although the task ahead is daunting, Cardoso believes Borussia Dortmund display proves they are capable of competing with any team on this grand stage.
Tags: Mamelodi Sundowns, Borussia Dortmund, #FIFACWC, #FIFAClubWorldCup, #BVB, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, Miguel Cardoso, Fluminense, Lucas Ribeiro, #SundownsBVB.
