Cardoso Explains How Springbok Inspired Sundowns' 'Fight' Against Borussia Dortmund

• Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Miguel Cardoso has narrated how he used Springbok stars pictures to motivate his players during half-time break against Borussia Dortmund
• The Brazilians were close to staging a comeback against the German Bundesliga giants but ended the match with a narrow defeat at the TQL Stadium in Cincinatti
• Sundowns are currently third in Group F one point behind Dortmund and Fluminense ahead of their last group game against the latter

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has explained how he inspired his team to almost doing a comeback against Borussia Dortmund at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Brazilians produced a mouth watering second half performance against the German side but couldn't stop the Bundesliga giants from winning the tie 4-3 at the TQL Stadium in Cincinatti, Ohio, on Saturday evening.

The Betway Premiership champions were down 3-1 at half-time, before scoring two second half goals to put more pressure on Dortmund who had to hold on till end for them to secure all three points.

Cardoso on giving Springbok-inspired pep talk

After the match, head coach Miguel Cardoso revealed he drew on the inspirational spirit of the Springboks, South Africa’s beloved rugby champions, to reignite belief and resilience in his Sundowns players.

“It wasn’t easy in the dressing room at halftime, heads were down, and the mood was heavy,” Cardoso told SuperSport.

“The danger when you’re trailing in a game like this is that top teams won’t stop. They know that scoring more goals matters in this competition.”

To lift the team’s spirit, Cardoso drew inspiration from South African rugby national team and narrated how he gave a pep talk with the Springbok stars pictures.

“I shared the powerful example of the Springbok team spirit, how they played with pictures of their families on their shirts. We may not wear those photos, but we carry our people in our hearts and minds.”

“In moments like that, you have to fight for them. Fight for the club, fight for the supporters. That’s what I asked of the players, to give everything to make their people proud,” he added.

What's next for Cardoso and Mamelodi Sundowns?

Miguel Cardoso and his boys will have to do everything possible to avoid defeat in their last match against Fluminense later this week.

A place in the last 16 is still up for grabs for the Premier Soccer League giants as they are currently on three points which is due to their victory over Ulsan HD in their FIFA Club World Cup opener.

Fluminense are on four points and need just a draw against Masandawana in order to seal a place in the Round of 16. A win could help them win the group and avoid a top place team in the second round.

Cardoso praises Sundowns players after defeat

Briefly News earlier reported that Cardoso hails Sundowns stars despite their defeat against Dortmund.

The Portuguese gaffer was happy with his players' performance, as they head into the final fixture of the competition.

Source: Briefly News