Mamelodi Sundowns are poised to kick off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey in Orlando, Florida, facing South Korean champions Ulsan FC at the Inter & Co Stadium.
This marks a significant moment for the Betway Premiership champions as they aim for their first-ever victory against Asian opposition in the tournament.
Form Guide
Their previous encounter with an Asian team in the Club World Cup ended in a 4-1 defeat against South Korea’s Jeonbuk in 2016.
Interestingly, only three players from that 2016 squad remain with Masandawana: Themba Zwane, Thapelo Morena, and Denis Onyango. All three were part of former head coach Pitso Mosimane’s team during that initial Club World Cup appearance.
Read: 3 Lessons Mamelodi Sundowns Can Learn from Jose Riveiro’s Al Ahly
A key storyline leading into this match revolves around Themba Zwane. He was an unused substitute in the 2016 loss to Jeonbuk, and despite being fit, he did not feature in Sundowns’ recent CAF Champions League final defeat to Pyramids – a decision that drew considerable criticism from supporters. Much speculation now surrounds whether Mshishi will be in the starting eleven for this crucial opener.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso will undoubtedly lean on all the experience available to him as Sundowns look to secure a positive start in Group F. The Brazilians enter the tournament with a strong sense of confidence, having successfully defended their domestic league title in the 2024/25 season and achieving a commendable runners-up finish in the CAF Champions League.
Their opponents, Ulsan, are currently in the midst of their domestic K-League 1 season. They sit in third place, nine points behind leaders Jeonbuk. On the continental front, Ulsan has had a challenging campaign, finding themselves in tenth position in their 12-team Group A table.
Following their clash with Ulsan, Sundowns will face formidable European giants Borussia Dortmund of Germany and Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense in their subsequent Group F fixtures.
Player Spotlight
Mamelodi Sundowns dangerman Lucas Ribeiro Costa had a standout season in the 2024/25 Betway Premiership, establishing himself as the most decisive attacking force in the league. The Brazilian forward found the back of the net 16 times and contributed an impressive nine assists, bringing his total goal involvements to 25—the highest in the competition.
His attacking presence was further emphasized by his shooting statistics, as he attempted the most shots (73) and registered the most shots on target (33) among all players.
Costa’s ability to position himself in dangerous areas was also evident, leading the league in touches inside the opposition’s penalty area (137). His expected goals (xG) metric of 10.3 demonstrated his ability to generate high-quality scoring opportunities, confirming his status as a crucial offensive player for Sundowns.
Looking at the opponents, Erick Farias has been a key contributor to the team’s attacking success in the 2025 K-League 1 season. The forward has scored eight goals so far, a tally that places him among the league’s top finishers—only two players in the competition have managed to exceed that figure.
His scoring form has extended beyond league action, as he found the net in Ulsan’s emphatic 5-2 victory over MLS outfit Charlotte in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week. Farias’ ability to deliver in crucial moments highlights his importance to Ulsan’s attacking setup as they push for domestic and continental success.
How to watch
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 00:00 on Wednesday, 18 June and will be carried live satellite TV giants SuperSport channel 202 and can be streamed on Showmax.
Betting odds (supplied by Hollywoodbets)
To win (90 min)
Ulsan HD 28/10 | Draw 19/10 | Mamelodi Sundowns 1/1
Fresh off their silver medal at the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, I am expecting South African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns to come out firing on all cylinders.
I think the play is Sundowns and over 2.5 goals at 22/10.