A proud Miguel Cardoso has issued his assessment of his side after failing to progress to the Last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup following Mamelodi Sundowns' goalless draw against Fluminense.
Cardoso's charges were held to a 0-0 draw by Brazilian side Fluminense in their final group stage match at the Club World Cup in Miami, United States, on Wednesday.
They exit the global showpiece with a record of one win, a defeat and a draw, totalling four points.
READ | Soweto giants announce seven new signings
Speaking at the post-match press conference at the Hard Rock Stadium, the 53-year-old tactician said he was pleased with his side despite how things eventually unfolded.
"We have played some of the most beautiful football in this tournament. The story of this game is the goal we didn’t score in the first 20 or 25 minutes," said Cardoso.
"But we kept the intensity and the quality. I’m so proud of my boys. I’m so proud of the club. Everyone had the chance to see a wonderful football match, 22 players at a high level in not easy conditions.
"So, now everybody in the world will speak about Mamelodi Sundowns, because people love the emotions. People like it when football gives emotions, positive ones. No one wants to go to the stadium and go home having watched football that does not excite them, does not make them sing or jump.
"And that is why we have so many people connecting with us," he went on.
The Portuguese-born gaffer says he has received messages from far and wide, with compliments flowing in for his charges.
"People who I don't know how they got my number, but people from international football throughout the world, from Brazil, Spain, France, England, and (it) means Sundowns played at a high level.
READ | Khenyeza closes in on new PSL gig
"So, we are not happy. We are not. We had a clear objective for this match, but I am very proud of the level of passion that the players showed.
"So, we leave the competition and head back to our country with our heads held up. We are much stronger today than we were before we came here. Much, much stronger," affirms the man who also took Sundowns to the CAF Champions League final.
Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
