Miguel Cardoso has added a coach's take to the talk around costly mistakes by Mamelodi Sundowns duo Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena in a 4-3 Club World Cup loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Sundowns slipped to third place in Group F standings in the Club World Cup after suffering defeat to German giants Dortmund last Saturday.
It was a display high on bravado, with the South African piling on the pressure early on, being eventually rewarded via Lucas Ribeiro in the 11th minute.
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However, they cheaply conceded an equalizer after Felix Nmecha latched onto a mistimed pass from Ronwen Williams in the small box.
Teboho Mokoena was then cheaply muscled off the ball in his own half as the 1996/97 UEFA Champions League winners went on to take the lead through the head of Serhou Guirassy.
They then added two more via Jobe Bellingham and a Khuliso Mudau own goal as the gulf in class began to show.
The Brazilians, though, were not about to go down without a fight as Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba pulled two back but ultimately ran out of time to level matters.
Speaking to the media at the post-match press conference, Cardoso leapt to the defence of the two players.
"Look, playing out of defence is our style and today, we made a mistake in a build-up. Do you think I have the capacity to complain about this player [Williams]?" Cardoso emphasised.
"Football is a game of mistakes. I make mistakes when I choose players who have to play in a match.
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"So, I supported my players, and I did that during half-time. Most of my talk was to support the players because how can I penalise a player like Teboho Mokoena who only has the intention of doing well?
"The pressure is too high in these types of games, and mistakes can happen, so I support the boys. In this club, there’s just support and training. How can I build trust if I don’t trust the players when there are mistakes?" he went on.
To keep their Club World Cup campaign alive, Sundowns have to collect three points against Fluminense from Brazil on Wednesday (21:00 SA time).
Photo: Gallo Images/Eurasia Sport Images
