Miguel Cardoso reveals how Mamelodi Sundowns need to tackle their biggest challenge at the Fifa Club World Cup - 'If we don’t do that, it will be tough'

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed how the Premier Soccer League heavyweights should overcome their biggest challenge in the Fifa Club World Cup.

The former Esperance tactician has said the Tshwane giants must seek to control their games using the ball because if they do not do that, they will find themselves in trouble.

“Our best capacity (against Ulsan) was to be able to control the game with the ball because that’s where we appear,” Cardoso said, as per SPORTSWIRE.

“That’s the challenge we’ll face in the next games; we need to control the game with the ball because if we don’t do that, it will be tough for us to overcome the challenges," he added.

The Portuguese tactician also spoke glowingly about Iqraam Rayners, who scored their winning goal against Ulsan in their opening game.

“Iqraam is obviously a player that has wonderful qualities and understands how to use spaces on the pitch,” Cardoso stated.

“He did that throughout the season, highs and lows, but he finished on a high level. He did very well not only in South Africa but also in the Caf Champions League and is now showing it in the World Cup," he added.

“It’s just a wonderful thing to have quality players, and in the locker room, it’s full of them. Some of them don’t usually play, but I’m happy to have all of them.”

Cardoso extended his glowing tribute to Peter Shalulile and Thapelo Maseko, Downs' other strikers who were not involved against Ulsan.

“I can also be happy to have Peter Shalulile, who didn’t play because he is so important for us,” Cardoso continued.

“We also have Maseko, who is not here with us, and I think he is also important for us. As much as we would love to have them all, the problem is that we only play with 11 players, but they are all important for us.”

The win over Ulsan is a big boost for Sundowns' quest to advance into the knockout phase of the global inter-club competitions.

The Brazilians are hungry for success on the international stage, having recently failed in their bid to win the second Champions League star.

After falling to Pyramids FC of Egypt in the final, Cardoso faced a lot of criticism for failing to deliver even when he had a deep squad with quality players. Good performances in the Club World Cup will help him reduce the criticism.

Meanwhile, the victory over the South Korean outfit propelled Sundowns to the top of Group F.

After their maiden win at the Club World Cup, Masandawana will hunt for a second victory in the tournament when they battle Dortmund on Saturday.

Their final group game will be against Brazil's Fluminense on June 25.