Nedbank Cup: Mamelodi Sundowns punished for lack of focus in TS Galaxy defeat

Miguel Cardoso admitted missed chances and costly lapses in concentration proved decisive as Mamelodi Sundowns were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup following a 2-0 defeat to TS Galaxy in the last 16 on Saturday.

The Tshwane side conceded twice in the opening half at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, with debutant Sphamandla Ngwenya and Junior Zindoga scoring to send the Rockets through to the quarter-finals.

Reflecting on the result, Cardoso pointed to his team’s inability to convert clear opportunities and criticised the manner in which the goals were conceded.

“The match is easy to analyze and comment on: you don’t convert the opportunities you have and you start making mistakes that put you 2-0 down in a match that, obviously, is played in difficult conditions to manage,” said Cardoso.

“But it’s primarily the lack of focus on these mistakes that puts you in a very difficult situation to turn around. There’s not much more to add; we can complain about the goals we didn’t score, but we needed to get back to 2-1 as quickly as possible – a goal that would have provided the necessary energy to continue.”

Sundowns pushed for a response and created several openings both before and after the interval but were unable to reduce the deficit.

“We could have done it even before halftime. I remember two situations that we failed to capitalize on. And then, in the second half, we absolutely had to get that goal; we completely controlled the match. Obviously, here and there we left ourselves open to counter-attacks, but that’s the risk a team has to take when it’s down 2-0. But what sticks with me is the way we conceded those two goals and how we let ourselves get discouraged in such a difficult match.”

Cardoso suggested the pitch conditions also hindered his side’s attempts to mount a comeback.

“2-0 is not the same as 1-0, it’s a very difficult situation, especially, I repeat, on a pitch where it’s impossible to play the football we want because it’s very difficult to produce quality play here. So, the conditions were even more complicated to come back,” he added.

He maintained that a lack of clinical finishing ultimately cost his team.

“But it was us who failed to convert our chances; I think I counted four or five incredible opportunities that we should have taken. I remember Tashreeq [Matthews] in the second half, one from Brayan [Leon], one from Peter [Shalulile] – a couple of shots. I also remember two clear chances in the first half.”

“And that was the turning point we needed to create. I was convinced we would find it – that goal that would have given us the energy to go for the second, put pressure on the opponent, create a bit of panic, ignite the stadium, which would also have allowed us to keep the energy on our side. It didn’t happen and, obviously, we are penalized and there’s not much else to say.”