Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso expressed immense pride in his team’s performance despite their 4-3 loss to German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup encounter on Saturday.
While the result wasn’t what the Brazilians had hoped for, Cardoso emphasized the significant strides his side made against a top European opponent.
The Betway Premiership champions made a dream start at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, with the lively Lucas Ribeiro netting a superb breakaway goal in just the 11th minute. This early strike set the tone for a match that would prove to be a true test of character for Sundowns.
Read: Mamelodi Sundowns Impress in Valiant Effort Against Classy Dortmund at Club World Cup
An error by Downs stopper Ronwen Williams then gifted Felix Nmecha an equaliser five minutes later, and a loss of possession by Teboho Mokoena saw Serhou Guirassy put Dortmund ahead just past the half hour mark, with a towering back-post header.
Jobe Bellingham scored on his first start for his new team on the stroke of half-time with a composed finish, while Khuliso Mudau was unfortunate to deflect a 50th minute cross past Williams and into his own net to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.
But the Brazilians were back in the tie when Iqraam Rayners expertly headed home his own rebounded effort from a teasing Mokoena delivery, as a late Lebo Mothiba goal added some more respectability to the scoreline.
Had they not gifted the Bundesliga two goals, the result may have been very different, and Cardoso explained that despite the difference in stature between the two teams, it was Sundowns who ended the match the stronger of the two teams.
Cardoso highlighted that the match’s outcome could have been drastically different had his side not “gifted” two goals to the Bundesliga giants.
He proudly stated that despite the significant difference in stature between the two teams, it was Sundowns who finished the match as the stronger side, demonstrating their relentless desire to compete.
Speaking to IOL, Cardoso articulated his mixed emotions: “I feel that. I feel a double emotion. The first one is that obviously we are not happy, and not being happy is a wonderful sensation at this moment.
It means that we competed at the highest level and we do not feel happy after playing Borussia Dortmund.”
He continued, emphasizing the magnitude of their performance: “That’s some strange place to be, with big respect for Borussia. What I’m saying is that it was clear that today we pushed the level of the game to the maximum, to the highest level, and we had good play, an open game against such a strong opponent.”
Sundowns, currently in third place in Group F with three points, will now turn their attention to their next crucial fixture against group leaders Fluminense, who sit on four points. That match is scheduled for Wednesday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Cardoso reiterated the importance of understanding the caliber of their opponent to truly appreciate Sundowns’ display. “It’s important that people understand who Borussia Dortmund are, so that they can really highlight the quality of the game that was played today by Sundowns,” he added.
The coach concluded, “We’re not happy, of course. But despite the loss, we are proud. I’m very proud of them, of the way the players played.
I’m very proud of the resilience they had throughout the game, so that we could finish the game playing for a result, because as you saw, in the closing stages in the heads of the players from Dortmund, they just wanted to finish the game. We wanted to continue to fight for the victory.”
This defiant statement from Cardoso underscores Sundowns’ ambition and belief, qualities that will be crucial as they prepare for their decisive final group game.
Masandawana will be in action against Fluminense FC next week. Kick off at the Hard Rock Stadium is set for 21h00 on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.