Cardoso delighted with opening win for Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns started their Club World Cup campaign with a deserved 1-0 victory over South Korean side Ulsan HD.

Coach Miguel Cardoso praised the performance of his players but cautions they have massive challenges ahead in the form of Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and Brazilian side Fluminense.

HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE GAME?

We’re extremely happy to have fulfilled our dream of winning a match at the Club World Cup, especially under this new format. Victories at this level are never easy.

I think today we channelled our energy in the right way – before, during, and after the match – and we leave with the right emotions. The team started in the right mindset. Tactically and strategically, we prepared very well, and what made the difference was the collective commitment to executing that plan.

We had a fantastic first half, and it was crucial to maintain the pace and stick to the game plan. We came close to scoring a second goal – by just a few details or centimetres we missed it. As the game wore on and we held a 1–0 lead, it’s natural to become more focused on keeping the result.

In the last 15 minutes, we didn’t play as freely as we would’ve liked, but we still created chances. Ultimately, we’re very proud – it’s the first African victory in the tournament, and that’s something special.

WHAT WERE THE TACTICAL ELEMENTS THAT WON YOU THE GAME?

It was all about managing the ball and preventing them from playing to their strengths. That was central to our strategy. I kept reminding the players to stick to the plan, otherwise they’d grow stronger.

We surprised them by cutting off the spaces they usually exploit. That allowed us to find our players in better positions.

This is a very strong team we played against, we studied them carefully. If you give them what they want, they’ll hurt you. Our main concern was whether we could control the game with the ball. Because without the ball, we suffer, it’s not our strength.

In South Africa, we dominate possession most of the time. When we lose the ball, we press, win it back, and start again. But at this World Cup, we’ve had to adapt and find ways to manage longer defensive moments. That’s been the biggest challenge, and also a huge learning curve as we look ahead.

HOW DID THE HOUR-LONG DELAY BEFORE KICK-OFF FOR A WEATHER INTERRUPTION AFFECT THE TEAM?

The delay had both positive and negative aspects. It gave us an opportunity to sit with the team and make some tactical adjustments. The opponent surprised us by lining up in a back five rather than their usual back four, and that allowed us time to adapt our strategy.

It’s never ideal to stop the warm-up and restart mentally, but in this case, it helped us reset and fine-tune some key elements.

We also anticipated one of their kick-off variants, they typically use two, and we were able to apply pressure effectively, almost scoring right from that. More importantly, the break helped us settle emotionally. The atmosphere in the stadium was intense, and we used that energy in a positive way.

DID YOU FEEL THE PRESSURE TO INCLUDE THEMBA ZWANE AFTER THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL LOSS?

The pressure doesn’t come from the outside. It’s internal. My board, my players, we place expectations on ourselves. Themba, for instance, worked incredibly hard over the past two weeks. He’s been on a growth journey since joining the squad, and today was his opportunity to show it. I had no hesitation playing him - not because of external pressure, but because he earned it.

We operate with deep mutual respect and trust. There’s no favouritism, no hidden agendas. I’m proud of the values in our locker room. Whatever was suggested in the media recently had no impact. We’re united, and our focus is on continuing to grow together.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE DRAW BETWEEN BORUSSIA DORTMUND AND FLUMINENSE?

To be honest, I didn’t watch the other game live, my assistants did. I was busy finalising the presentation for our team meeting. My full focus was on our match, but I do have 45 minutes of footage to review during the return trip.

I heard the game lacked intensity, similar to ours in some ways. Conditions here, the heat in particular, limit how physically intense matches can be.

It’s about how much you can give, and managing that effort smartly. Every game tells its own story. Now we need to recover, assess the squad, and prepare strategically. We’re facing the best teams (in the group) now, it’s an amazing challenge, and we’re fully committed to competing at the highest level.

What did you make of the performance of goalscorer Iqraam Rayners and do you have the firepower in your squad to make an impression at this tournament?

Iqraam put the ball in the net, and that’s what it’s all about. He is a player with a great sense of timing and space. He’s had ups and downs this season, but is finishing strong, first domestically in South Africa, then in the Champions League, and now here at the Club World Cup.

We have so many quality players in this group. Some didn’t even play today, like Peter Shalulile, who has been crucial all season. Lebo Mothiba came in and played well after struggling with injuries.

That’s the challenge, only 11 can start. But they all respect the decisions because they know it's fair, and we manage their moments with honesty.

As a coach, it’s a joy to create an environment where players feel emotionally free and supported. Talents like Iqraam, Lucas (Ribeiro), Mothiba, they thrive when they feel confident and connected. That’s what we try to build: trust, freedom, and the right emotional balance so they can express their best football.

IT MUST HAVE BEEN SPECIAL HAVING YOUR FAMILY IN THE STADIUM?

We all have different relationships and sacrifices. I haven’t been back to Portugal since moving to South Africa, almost seven months now. But today, 10 metres behind our bench, were my wife and son. It’s hard to describe what it means to see them there. To share a hug and a kiss after the game, that’s what makes it all worth it.

We dedicate these moments to our families, our parents, siblings, everyone we care about. One member of our staff, in particular, had a personal loss recently, and today’s victory is for him too. We’re a strong family. We support each other in the right way, and that unity carries us through everything.