Mamelodi Sundowns' Cardoso raves about 'sacrificed' star

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has lauded his attacker Tashreeq Matthews, who was in top form on Sunday, as Masandawana ripped Polokwane City apart in the Premier Soccer League outing.

Teboho Mokoena set-up Iqraam Rayners for an opening goal at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria before Matthews converted Themba Zwane’s assist to make it 2-0. The third goal came from Nuno Santos who who was teed-up by Brayan Leon.

Keano Cupido of Mamelodi Sundowns in action against Polokwane City. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

Despite the criticism by a section of the Masandwana supporters, Matthews rose to the occasion when needed.

Masandawana’s tactician has now explained why he kept playing the 25-year-old even when it was obvious he was not delivering as expected, especially in terms of goals and assists.

It is a matter of impact

Tashreeq Matthews controls the ball during an Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs match. — Tashreeq Matthews controls the ball during a Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs match. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

“Obviously, we would like to have our wingers, our strikers to score many more goals, because obviously the more goals you get, the closer you’ll be to victories. But I don’t relate to the moment when one doesn’t score, I always try to see how they impact the performance of the team,” Cardoso added.

“And the performance of the team can be impacted by, obviously, the output that comes from goals or assists, but can come from diverse actions on the game that also allow others to create, to use spaces and use opportunities, and from there also give a second assist or a third assist pass.”

“It’s the implication of the players on the dynamic of the team that for me is very important, and Tashreeq is very important on that. Like all the others, they understand a lot what we want to bring and adapt to different dynamics.”

Matthews was not 100% fit

Tashreeq Matthews, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Golden Arrows — Image – Sundowns

“Tashreeq was a player that in the previous match, he was sacrificed a lot because he was not 100% in condition, and we even put him to play from the bench, and he became important on those minutes he played,” the former Esperance coach added.

“So, I’m pretty happy with the performance from him. I think he made in the last Champions League match, the best Champions League match I saw from him.

“The important thing is how he fights every day to be able to play how we want and give the team what we need from him, and he does it consistently,” Cardoso concluded.