Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed disappointment with the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinal against Al Ahly at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
He said the lacklustre game, which ended in a goalless draw, didn’t live out to expectations, as both teams failed to play their normal game.
This as Sundowns uncharacteristically failed to register a shot on target, despite eight attempts.
“It was not the best well played match.
But a typical semifinal match with both teams trying to explore the different things that could be explored inside the pitch but also protecting the goals.
It was important for them not to suffer, but also important for us too.
It doesn’t mean that we played defence, we tried to attack without any luck,” said Cardoso.
He also acknowledged that Al Ahly changed their strategy, as it defended too deep and frustrated Masandawana.
“The way they structured their team is quite unique, for the first time we saw them so narrow.
In all the games we saw, they never played with four centre-backs, to close the middle of the pitch as much as possible.
They shifted their objectives, and we couldn’t score the goal that we wanted.
They would always look for a counterattack and they’re dangerous with that,” explained the Portuguese mentor.
Despite the draw, he’s confident that the team will beat Al Ahly, when the team meet in the second leg in Cairo at the weekend.
At the FNB stadium, Orlando Pirates and Pyramids FC from Egypt, also played to a goalless draw, in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final encounter.
Despite creating several chances, both teams failed to register a goal, and will meet in a crucial game in Cairo on Friday.
The Egyptians had two goals disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the first and second half of the match.
The Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro was happy with both team’s performance and their attitude.
“It was a good game, well played from both sides, with two different approaches, attractive for the spectators.
It was the best team we played this season so far, it’s a great team and doesn’t play under any pressure.
There were moments today where we made too many mistakes and must correct them for the next round,” remarked Riveiro.
In addition, the coach heaped praise at his team, adding that they’re still unbeaten in the continent, and hopeful that this will build confidence in the team going into the next round.
“The players are doing an incredible job, competing at the best level in the continent.
We would try again, we’re going to Egypt, ready to go, and win this match.
It’s not an easy score for both teams and it’s a tricky score.
It’ll be an interesting second leg but trust me we would do everything possible to win the game,” concluded the coach.
Riveiro added that it wasn’t a game that should’ve finished score-less as both teams created a lot of chances to score at least a single goal.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC will this afternoon face Simba SC at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg.
