Sundowns boss Cardoso demands maximum effort against Al Ahli

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says his side must push themselves to the limit when they face Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Al Ahli arrive with momentum in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after beating Auckland FC 1-0 in a one-off African-Asian-Pacific Cup play-off.

Sundowns, by contrast, have not played a highly competitive international fixture since overcoming AS FAR Rabat on aggregate in the CAF Champions League final in May.

Cardoso believes, however, that Sundowns’ experience on the international stage can help them cope with an Al Ahli squad assembled at significant expense. The South African club took part in the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup just over a year ago.

“Obviously, in the world, they are still something above. Their quality is undeniable, they will maybe have two, maximum three players Saudi Arabia (national team) in the line-up,” Cardoso told reporters at Sundowns’ training pitch in Chloorkop on Friday.

The Portuguese coach acknowledged the quality available to Al Ahli but said it would not determine the contest before the teams take to the field.

“It’s a squad full of high-level players. If we were (to focus on) that, we would obviously not enter the pitch, but that’s not what is going to play,” he said.

“Inside the four lines, what is more important is the way the team is committed to the behaviour.”

Cardoso said Sundowns’ own squad contained players accustomed to competing in major international matches and that their approach would be central to their prospects.

“The players committed to the highest level they can. We’re also a team that is very used to obviously competing at this level, we have experienced international players,” he added.

Sundowns will need to maintain their concentration throughout the match, with Cardoso warning that small moments could prove decisive against opponents with individuals capable of changing the outcome.

“Obviously, in these kind of matches we need to take ourselves to the limit, details can (determine the game), they have players that can define the match,” he said.

“Pay attention, not 99 percent of the time but 100 percent of the time, not 99 percent of the actions but 100 percent of the actions, so that we can control whatever that can happen and take the game in our hands.”