'Job done': Sundowns coach proud despite exit

MIAMI — Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said Wednesday his team could return to South Africa with its heads held high, despite exiting the Club World Cup in the group stage.

"Some teams came here and took nothing, but Mamelodi Sundowns leave with a lot — we took four points, we lost just one game and we drew one game, in which it was clear we had the best chances," Cardoso said after the 0-0 draw with Fluminense in Miami.

That followed a 1-0 win against Ulsan HD of South Korea and a 4-3 loss to German giant Borussia Dortmund, as the South African champion finished third in Group F.

Its tally of four points was one fewer than Fluminense, and three behind group winner Dortmund.

"For those who don't know international football so well, I invite them to go and study Fluminense, Dortmund and Ulsan a little, and understand the level Sundowns played at during this Club World Cup," Cardoso added.

"When we go out, but set such a high bar, you don't go through, but you take a lot; you take prestige. You value your players, you make your club even more well known in the world."

He added: "I know we have a strange name, but we have a strong team. We have been showing good things for many years, and, now, everyone in the world will talk about Mamelodi Sundowns, because people like positive emotions."

"People like going home having seen an exciting game, and we gave amazing emotions to people who like football.

"We are not happy, we had a clear objective for this match, but I am very proud of the level my players performed at.

"We leave and go home with our heads up, because we are much stronger than we were when we came here."

Perennial South African champion, the Sundowns qualified for FIFA's lucrative new tournament on the back of its record over the last four years in African competitions.

However, it traveled to the United States reeling after losing to Pyramids of Egypt in the final of the CAF Champions League.

Cardoso, though, sees the positives, as his club romped to its eighth domestic title in a row and appeared in a first African Champions League final since winning it in 2016.

"In the eight months I have been here, it has been amazing. We won the championship in South Africa, beating all the records," he said.

"We didn't win the final of the Champions League, but after (nine) years, we were back in the final."

He added: "We know these competitions are very risky, because you can do beautiful things, but leave with nothing because the other teams are very strong.

"We competed until the last minute. It is always possible to do more. But, will we sleep in peace tonight? Believe me we will. Job done, recognition obtained."

AFP