As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for their second match at the FIFA Club World Cup against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, the German giants have been termed favourites to win.
Sundowns will go in search of a second straight group stage victory after defeating South Korea’s Ulsan HD 1-0 in their opening match on Wednesday and another three points will see them put one foot in the knockout rounds.
However, few expect the Brazilians to win against the 2024 UEFA Champions League finalists, who have players of superior quality, but according to former Dortmund striker Delron Buckley, there are other factors that will determine the outcome of the contest.
Ex-Bafana Bafana forward Buckley, who played for Dortmund from between 2005 and 2009, feels Sundowns hold a specific advantage over the Bundesliga giants which could give them an edge during the match at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.
What gives Downs an edge over Dortmund?
“If they [Sundowns] leave the country and go somewhere else in Africa, they are used to this environment so for them it won’t affect them now in America where humidity is high, it is hot,” Buckley told SoccerBeat.
“For them [Sundowns], it is normal which I think Dortmund will have a problem with because us South Africans can run in the sun nonstop.
“It can be 35°C and we play, still running, so I think that is the advantage Sundowns have. This kind of quality of technical players, they can control and play balls into spaces with the intelligence of just two players,” he added.
Hot conditions forecasted in Cincinnati
Teams have struggled with the hot conditions in the United States since the tournament started with cooling breaks in between matches to help players shake off its effects.
The weather in Cincinnati is forecasted to be 33°C on Saturday, which will be a problem for both teams, and it remains to be seen if Sundowns can take advantage of the harsh weather conditions as Buckley has predicted.
Sundowns will kick off their match against Dortmund at 18:00 South African time.
