Mamelodi Sundowns have been warned that their performance against Borussia Dortmund could count for little when they face Fluminense in their final Club World Cup group game on Wednesday.
From the outside looking in, Sundowns' performance against Dortmund, where they salvaged a narrow 4-3 loss in their second game of Group F won a lot of people's hearts, including neutrals, given they were not given a chance against a more established European opposition.
READ: Update on Ndlovu situation amidst Chiefs rumours
However, Kyle Timm, a South African coach at the helm of USL Championship side Lexington Sporting in America, has revealed why the Tshwane giants' showing against BvB should be taken with a pinch of salt.
"Fluminense will be a tough game because they have a similar identity to Sundowns. These Brazilians won't just let you play, and they are also used to the heat," Timm, who is watching games at the global showpiece from the grandstands, told KickOff.com.
"Fluminense will be the toughest game for Sundowns, not even Dortmund. These Germans were struggling in the heat. It's hot here, my man, very hot! The times they are playing at makes it even more difficult.
"I don't wanna make excuses for Dortmund, but they were suffering in the heat. It was hot and these Europeans have never played in these conditions, you know," added Timm.
READ | New Move: Khenyeza closes in on new PSL gig
"The intensity of the game would have been different if it was a Tuesday Champions League night in Germany, ha, ha, you know.
"The game suited Sundowns because it was not overly intense or aggressive. We saw how Dortmund played very transitional. They sat back, waited for their moments. I think the heat was a factor in the decision to play the way they played.
"If it was a night game... 12 o'clock in the afternoon was difficult (for Dortmund)," the ex-Colorado Springs Switchbacks mentor concluded.
Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
