Sundowns coach Cardoso: ‘We’ve opened the championship’

Sundowns controlled 58% of possession, registered seven attempts with four on target, and managed the contest effectively after taking a 2-0 lead through the eventual Man of the Match Brayan Leon.

Cardoso said his side anticipated the early pressure and trusted their ability to shift momentum. Orlando Pirates’ early second-half goal frustrated the visitors, but Cardoso refused to criticise his players.

Also read: What cost Orlando Pirates 3 points against Mamelodi Sundowns

MIGUEL CARDOSO REACTS TO BIG WIN OVER ORLANDO PIRATES

The Sundowns mentor said they knew they could catch Pirates and that their energy would eventually drop, adding that they could have finished the game in a more comfortable position.

“That goal at the beginning of the second half was a big mistake from us,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV. But we don’t work on mistakes, we work to correct them. We don’t penalise anyone, we lift them up. We stay together.

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“I think we knew the start would be very intense from Pirates,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV. “It’s a team that has been scoring early in recent matches, so there was belief they could score.

The Portuguese tactician credited both quality and character for the victory. “These matches are won with heart, and we played with heart. We have high-quality players, and today we deserved to win.”

With the gap at the top reduced to three points, and Sundowns holding a game in hand, Cardoso believes the title race is wide open.

“We just opened the championship now. Everybody is closer. We move match by match. Our mentality has always been to believe in ourselves.”

The former Esperance, Rio Ave, AEK Athens, Celta Vigo, FC Nantes, Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga coach concluded with a call for unity. “The team is the same since the start of the season. We have transformed through work. We need belief from our supporters. Let’s keep going,” the Sundowns mentor said.