Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has explained why it was the right time for captain Themba Zwane to start in their FIFA Club World Cup Group F clash against Ulsan.
Zwane started his first game under Cardoso and made a huge impression, playing 75 minutes as the Tshwane giants secured maximum points in a 1-0 victory.
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Cardoso came under fire for leaving the Bafana Bafana international out in both the CAF Champions League final matches against Pyramids FC, but made it clear that the player's inclusion against Ulsan had nothing to do with pressure, but rather from the player's hard work in training.
"What happened is that Themba made a hell of a two weeks of preparations and that is the respect we need to have. People spoke a lot about that. It seems that people didn't understand that Themba comes from a process of growth, since the moment he could enter the team and train properly. It's important to give him the right opportunity so that he can perform. Today was the right opportunity for him to play. I had no problems to put him, even having the risk to let people think I am giving him an opportunity because of pressure," Cardoso told media after the match.
The match was delayed by an hour due to bad weather conditions, but Cardoso used it to Sundowns' advantage.
"Regarding the delay of the match, there are good things and bad things. It gave us an opportunity to sit with the team and discuss better the line-up of the opponents that came a little bit surprising because usually they build up with the three players, having the full back lower. They defend with a back four, but today they defend with a back five. We had time to make the proper corrections and adjust the plan. That was positive."
Sundowns will take on German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund in their second Group F match on Saturday.
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