FIFA Club World Cup Recap: Mamelodi Sundowns Edge Ulsan HD to Make African History
Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan HD in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday. The match saw the South African champions climb to the top of Group F after Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense played out a goalless draw earlier.
Iqraam Rayners scored the only goal of the game in the first half, converting a composed finish after being set up by Lucas Ribeiro. The Sundowns forward had already seen an earlier effort ruled out for handball and had another disallowed for offside.
Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso praised his team’s discipline and control, especially in the opening 45 minutes. “I think the first half was very beautiful, a lot of control… we didn’t get the second goal and the pressure comes,” he said. “But I think my players made a wonderful job, we are very proud, (it was) the first victory of an African team in the tournament.”
The Brazilians, as Sundowns are affectionately known, dominated possession with 68%, completing 718 passes at an impressive 91% accuracy rate. Despite Ulsan taking nine corners to Sundowns’ five, it was the South Africans who looked more in control and tactically disciplined.
Ulsan’s best chance came when Brazilian forward Erick Farias blazed a close-range effort over the bar in the first half. Sundowns, meanwhile, nearly doubled their lead through a powerful Teboho Mokoena free-kick, which was tipped over by Ulsan keeper Jo Hyeon-woo.
Tashreeq Matthews also had a chance to seal it on the counter late on, but fired over the bar. Nevertheless, Sundowns held on for a historic result, their first-ever win in any edition of the Club World Cup, having lost both their matches in their 2016 appearance.
The result sees Mamelodi Sundowns take early command of Group F with three points, ahead of Dortmund and Fluminense on one point each, while Ulsan sit bottom with zero.
