Mamelodi Sundowns exceptional - FIFA expert

Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns media.

FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) member Tobin Heath has praised Mamelodi Sundowns as “exceptional” for their performance at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The recognition comes despite the Betway Premiership giants' premature exit from the group stages of the competition in the United States.

The FIFA World Cup winner, Heath, who sits in the TSG alongside Arsene Wenger, Jürgen Klinsmann and Gilberto Silva, said Sundowns impressed at the tournament.

“They [Sundowns] have been absolutely exceptional. They’re inspiring. [There are] different ways of thinking about football and thinking about ways that teams can adapt to this competition,” Heath told FIFA media.

“Overall, I think what we’ve been exposed to is a level of the club competition that we’ve never seen before, where we’re being exposed to different cultures, styles, players – that we haven’t necessarily had the same kind of exposure to – that has made this competition extremely fruitful and inspiring.”

Overall, Wenger praised the level of competitiveness right from the group stages.

He said: "The competition is much tighter than expected. We wanted to create this (FIFA) Club World Cup to give the big clubs from all over the world the opportunity to come here," said Wenger.

"It looks like it's the start of something that will never stop again."

Miguel Cardoso's side beat Ulsan FC 1-0 before losing 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund and sharing the spoils with Fluminense at 0-0 to bow out.