Mamelodi Sundowns began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan HD in Orlando, Florida, in a match delayed by weather and marked by VAR controversy.
The Brazilians fielded a strong lineup featuring returning captain Themba Zwane and defensive stalwarts Keanu Cupido and Divine Lunga. The match started an hour late due to severe weather conditions at the Orlando stadium.
Sundowns survived an early scare when Ulsan’s Erick came close in the 8th minute, before experiencing VAR heartbreak themselves. Iqraam Rayners thought he’d opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a corner-kick finish, only for VAR to rule it out for handball.
The persistent forward broke through five minutes later, expertly timing his run to meet Lucas Ribeiro’s through ball before slotting home. Rayners had another goal chalked off just two minutes later for offside in another Ribeiro-assisted move.
Defensive heroics from Lunga preserved the lead just before halftime, with the fullback making a crucial goal-line clearance after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was caught out of position.
The victory gives Sundowns a perfect start in the tournament as they prepare for their next Group F fixture. The match highlighted both their attacking threat through the Ribeiro-Rayners connection and defensive resilience when tested.
