Mamelodi Sundowns Edge Ulsan HD in Club World Cup Opener

Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan HD in Orlando, putting them top of Group F in the tournament’s early stages.

The much-anticipated clash got off to a delayed start due to adverse weather conditions around the venue, with kick-off pushed back by an hour. Once the action began, it was an intense affair with both sides eager to set the tone for their campaigns.

Sundowns, who reinstated key players such as captain Themba Zwane, Keanu Cupido, Divine Lunga, and Arthur Sales, had to navigate some early pressure. Ulsan nearly took the lead just eight minutes in when Erick latched onto a dangerous cross and fired inches over the top corner.

The South African giants thought they had found the breakthrough on the half-hour mark through Iqraam Rayners. However, VAR intervened, ruling out the goal for a handball in the build-up. But Rayners didn’t have to wait long for redemption. Just five minutes later, he timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and calmly slotted home Lucas Ribeiro’s through-ball into the bottom corner.

Rayners appeared to have doubled the lead minutes later with a well-placed finish after receiving another incisive pass from Ribeiro, but this effort too was chalked off—this time for offside.

Ulsan nearly drew level just before halftime, forcing Divine Lunga into a heroic goal-line clearance with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams caught off his line. It was a moment that proved critical in maintaining Sundowns’ slender lead heading into the break.

In the second half, Ulsan increased the tempo and pushed for an equaliser, but Sundowns remained composed and nearly found a second themselves when Ribeiro curled just over after a sharp cutback in the area.

Coach Rulani Mokwena made tactical changes midway through the second half, bringing on Tashreeq Matthews for Sales to inject fresh legs into the frontline. Despite Ulsan’s late pressure, the Sundowns defence held firm, closing down spaces and denying their opponents any clear route to goal.

The final whistle confirmed a vital opening win for the DStv Premiership champions, who now lead Group F and take a step closer to advancing in the global showpiece.

Mamelodi Sundowns Starting XI: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Cupido, Lunga, Mokoena, Allende, Zwane, Sales, Rayners, Ribeiro
Substitutes: Onyango, Khoza, Modiba, Adams, Maema, Aubaas, Letlhaku, Matthews, Mkhulise, Pieterse, Mndunyelwa, Mvala, Mothiba, Shalulile

With their sights set on the next challenge, Sundowns will be aiming to maintain momentum as they chase Club World Cup glory.