Sundowns’ prolific forward Lucas Ribeiro shows the class he’s made off as he paces off to score first against Dortmund. Photo: Supplied

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South African and African continental football powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns comes face to face with South Korean giants Ulsan HD FC in the opener of the Group F clash of the Fifa Club World Cup tomorrow [18 June] at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in the United State of America.

A relatively closed book as far as South Korean football is concerned, Ulsan, a hard running side that was formed in 1983 as Ulsan Hyundai FC, is expected to give the South Africans, nicknamed as the Brazilians due to their style of play that closely resembles the Brazilian national side and its jersey colours too, a baptism of fire in the opening match of the Group F sides which includes Dortmund and Flumenense. Known as the ‘Gangsters of Asia’ for their merciless football exploits, Ulsan has won the South Korean K-League 1 for three seasons in a row, in 2022, 2023, and 2024 but are currently languishing in fourth spot in the current league which normal opens in February and ends in November.

Compared to Sundowns’ impressive eight-time champions successively and a long history of involvement in the Caf Champions League in the past decade and more, year-in and year-out but with very little to show for it in the form of a single star on their jersey, unlike their South Korean ‘Tigers’ adversaries in the club world cup who
done three stars on their jersey.

Current loss of form by Ulsan may mean Masandawana could have walk in the park if the Tshwane side can pull up their socks, stick to their style of play and game plan. The current eight time consecutive champions of South Africa’s highly ranked domestic Premier Soccer League need to mean and show it is the side that has come to be known to its avid fans as the ‘Yellow Machine’ for its conquering habits and come out of this Tigers game triumphant.

A local football fundi cautioned the Brazilians against complacency and urged the side to avoid the lacklustre display it showed against Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC in the final of the Caf Champions League, which they lost 2-1 in Cairo following an earlier 1-1 stalemate in Pretoria in the first leg of the final.

“They [Sundowns] should not play the dismal game they displayed in Cairo. They must show more hunger for goals which will win them matches right from the first whistle to the final one. In that way, they may managed to score a couple of goals and must also ensure they shut the backdoor with a strong defence team,” the sports scribe, who did not wish to be named, told Sipho Siso News in a preview of the upcoming opening fixture of the Group F Fifa Club World Cup.

“Coupled with its neat build up and clinical finishes in the face of goals, Sundowns can easily overwhelm the South Korean side and emerge victorious in their opener, which can put the side in good stead and provide confidence as it goes into the next
game,” the fundi said.

He added that Sundowns must not fumble as they did in Cairo but ensure they take the bull by the horns. “They must never consider themselves second class to anyone and always be determined to play to win every match they are involved in. That approach is what can give them the edge and a good fighting spirit in any game and
competition,” the fundi said.

Aubrey Modiba, one of the loyal playing servants of Sundowns, echoed the words of the fundi in a voice note to South Africans, saying they will approach each and every game with a winning mentality. “We shall play to win every game we are in, in the club world cup and I am sure with that fighting spirit, we may go a long way in this tournament and surprise many,” Modiba said.

Modiba said the mood was good in the camp and all players were raring to go as the side flew out of their camp for Orlando in Florida. “We are eager to show them what South Africans possess and can do in the field of play, who knows, may be even
spring up a few surprises,” he said.