Cardoso backs Williams despite horror mistake in Sundowns defeat

Photo Credit – Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has defended goalkeeper Ronwen Williams despite his mistake that allowed Borussia Dortmund to recover and eventually secure a 4-3 win in their FIFA Club World Cup clash at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday.

The South African giants had started the game on a high, managing to stun the Bundesliga outfit when Lucas Ribeiro found himself in space and dribbled his way to the danger area, before finding the back of the net. However, William’s error enabled Dortmund to level matters and get back into the game.

The Bafana Bafana keeper’s short pass was intercepted by the unmarked Felix Nmecha, who wasted no time in slotting home. Dortmund went on to score three more goals and win the seven-goal thriller.

“Look, all season we’ve played out of the back without mistakes. Today, we made two mistakes in the build-up. Do you think I can complain about my players when they give me so much, so much, so much, all because of one mistake?” said Cardoso, as quoted by SuperSport.

“Football is a game of mistakes. I make mistakes. I support my players. Most of my talk was to support the players, and to say, ‘look, I’m with you, so let’s go’. It would be very easy to punish the players, but how can I penalise players whose only intention is to do well?

“The level of pressure in this game was so much higher, and so mistakes can happen […] I support the boys. There’s no other way. In this club, with me, there’s just support. Training and support and training and support and training. Otherwise, how can I build trust, if there’s a mistake and I don’t trust them? As much as you give, you get back. So that’s how I approach the situation.”

Sundowns conclude their group fixtures with a game against Fluminense, who are currently top of the group following their 4-2 victory against Ulsan and 0-0 draw against Dortmund. The decisive Group F fixture will be played at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday.