Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a 1-0 win against Ulsan HD in Group F of the Fifa Club World Cup game played at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday morning.
Coach Miguel Cardoso made a few surprising changes to the first XI, giving a chance to the likes of Keanu Cupido and captain Themba Zwane to show their worth.
With Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense drawing 0-0 in another Group F outing, the Premier Soccer League champions came into the match knowing a win will be vital in their quest to get into the knockout phase.
Red-hot Rayners gives Sundwons a first-half lead
The game was brought forward by an hour owing to adverse weather, but that did little to dampen the mood of either team. It was Sundowns who had an electrifying start to the game, forcing a corner inside the first 30 seconds after a well-executed counterattack.
A minute later, the Tigers created a chance of their own, with the ball eventually being passed to their dangerman Erick Farias, who failed to hit the target from about 12 yards out.
Zwane brought down Farias in a promising area in the 15th minute to give the Asian outfit a chance to get an opening goal, but Darijan Bojanic sky-rocketed his effort into the stands. much to the relief
Iqraam Rayners was perfectly slipped in in the 27th minute, but the ball was deflected out for a corner, which was taken by Lucas Ribeiro. The former Stellenbosch attacker thought he had scored, only for the VAR to reverse it, with replays suggesting the ball bounced off his hand.
However, he wasn't to be denied in the 36th minute; Ribeiro picked him just outside the 18-yard area, Rayners steadied himself before findng the back of the net to give his team a deserved lead.
Three minutes later, the 29-year-old thought he had completed his brace after a swift counter attack, only to be denied by the offside flag.
Teboho Mokoena forced Hyeon-Woo Jo to a fina save from a free-kick in the 43rd minute, before a goalline clearance from Devine Lunga two minutes later ensured Downs went to the break with a slim advantage.
The second half of missed chances
The Tigers came back a rejuvenated side, throwing everything at Masandawana, hoping to get an equaliser.
In the 53rd minute, a quick counter-attack ended with the ball on Mokoena's feet. He passed to Ribeiro on his right, but the defenders deflected the ball for a corner that bore no fruit.
A timely intervention from Lunga in the 63rd minute denied Wan-Song Hum a massive opportunity to level matters. Not even the resulting corner ball could be connected, by fellow teammates.
Ribeiro did well to get past his markers before trying to find substitute Lebo Mothiba, but the danger was eventualy cleared by the Ulsan HD defenders. It kick-started a dangerous counter-attack attack but Ronwen Williams rose for the occassionto deny Matias Lacava.
Keanu Cupido then ensured the loose ball is not turned into the back of the net by the waiting Farias.
Sundowns are the first South African team to win a game in the Club World Cup. They are now top of Group F with three points, while Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense have one each.
Their next game will be against the Bundesliga outfit.
