“Don’t Expect An Open Game”: Cardoso Issues Bold Warning Ahead Of Sundowns’ Mega Clash with Al Ahli
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso expects a tightly contested affair when his side faces Al Ahli SC in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, emphasizing that fine margins will likely decide the outcome.
The Brazilians face a stern test against the reigning Asian Champions League winners, a squad packed with world-class international talent.
The Saudi Pro League outfit boasts top-tier stars, including former Juventus defender Merih Demiral, England striker Ivan Toney, and former Senegal shot-stopper Édouard Mendy—who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal in 2022.
The back-to-back Asian champions also feature a potent Brazilian quartet of Roger Ibañez, Matheus Gonçalves, Galeno, and Ricardo Mathias, alongside Portuguese winger Francisco Trincão and French midfielder Valentin Atangana.
Cardoso, who guided Sundowns to the CAF Champions League crown last season, insists his team must approach the clash with tactical discipline, as a single moment of brilliance could settle the tie.
“To confess to you, I would not like to see an open game on the pitch. I don’t expect that to happen,” said Cardoso.
“Obviously, Al Ahli has a way to play, and that has to do with the speed in front, using aggressive moments.
“But, as I have said, we have already shown the world who we are, and I would be a happy coach at the end of the match if Sundowns play the way they should on the pitch.
“Because the results in these matches can be decided by detail, and we must compete at the highest level. We can finish the game with the sensation that we showed the world who we are, our identity in football and the quality of football that we can play.
“And then deal with the consequences of the result, because we can come from so many things. We played in the Champions League, and there were moments when it could have gone the other way.
“We can control as much as possible, and that needs 100% concentration, commitment, energy, cleverness and technical analysis from the coaches to master the moments of the game.
“And we need to be clever. Very, very clever in how we manage the game, position ourselves and how we play this game.”
