CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 18: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso during the Betway Premiership match between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at DHL Stadium on December 18, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso felt his side should have ended the game in the first half against Stellenbosch FC.
The Brazilians bagged their first Betway Premiership win under the new coach after defeating Steve Barker’s side 1-0 at the DHL Stadium.
Cardoso was pleased to get maximum points just days after their tough CAF Champions League tie against Raja Casablanca.
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“First of all I think it’s very important that everybody understands how difficult it is to play here against a very aggressive team in terms of the way they play, always looking for a long ball, not trying to build up the game, so quite difficult to press,” Cardoso told SuperSport.
“I think we managed in the first 30 minutes of the game we were quite confident to press high, obviously it’s difficult to keep that intensity.
“We created many chances, I think the story of this game is the second goal that never appeared and should have appeared in the game. We created so much but in the end we held onto the result. Important victory, congratulations to the players, fans, very happy for the work.”
The Portuguese coach went on and said he is pleased to see players who previously did not have game time performing.
Cardoso was also asked if he seen evidence of the Sundowns players adapting to his style after two games.
“It’s clear there’s a big commitment in the team, play in short distances, try to always be together, travel together in attack, travel together in defence, close the spaces, control different moments,” the Portuguese coach said.
“Let’s always hold our emotions as best as possible so that we can always be looking at the right momemt to finish the game. Today I believe we could have finished it much sooner rather than the final whistle of the referee,” the former Esperance de Tunis mentor added.
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