Sundowns’ Cardoso can’t rule out an upset against Borussia Dortmund in FIFA Club World Cup

Photo Credit – Mamelodi Sundowns Media.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has refused to rule out the possibility of an upset as his side prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in their second fixture of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at QTL Stadium in Cincinnati, USA, on Saturday.

The Betway Premiership champions head into their second Group F clash full of confidence after a 1-0 opening win over Asia’s Ulsan Hyundai. Iqraam Rayners’ lone goal not only secured all three points for Masandawana but also put them top of the Group F standings, following Borussia Dortmund’s 0-0 draw with Fluminense.

“Upsets can happen when the mental conviction of the team is strong and their emotional connection is so strong that magic can happen,” said Cardoso, as quoted by Reuters.

“And that’s what I will try to create as an ambience in the team: ambition, conviction, determination and the right emotion to play such a game and produce a good result.”

On what he is expecting from Dortmund, he explained: “We’re going to play against a team that is very aggressive. It’s a team that scores 40 per cent of their goals from counterpressing.

“We won’t be used to not having the ball much, and obviously that will require us to be resilient and keep organised, even when you are just waiting for the moment to get the ball again.”

Sundowns will close group business against Brazilian side Fluminense next Wednesday.