Sundowns get the better of Ulsan in battle of the outsiders

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Jun 17, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Mamelodi Sundowns FC forward Lebo Mothiba (35) passes the ball during the second half against Ulsan HD during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images REUTERS

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Jun 17, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Ulsan HD defender Sangwoo Kang (13) controls the ball as Mamelodi Sundowns FC forward Tashreeq Matthews (17) defends during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images REUTERS

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Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Ulsan HD v Mamelodi Sundowns - Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S. - June 17, 2025 Mamelodi Sundowns fans celebrate after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck REUTERS

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UPDATED Jun 18, 2025, 11:46 AM

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ORLANDO, Florida - Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil's Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.

South Africa's Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.

KEY QUOTES

Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”

Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: "We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.” REUTERS

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