Abubeker Nasir, returning from a long-term injury, was on the scoresheet as Mamelodi Sundowns downed Al Arabi 3-0 on Friday morning in the pre-season friendly.
Tasheeeq Matthews and Thapelo Maseko scored the other two goals for the side.
This was South African giants first win in their pre-season tour in Austria having suffered two defeats against SV Saundhausen and Dynamo Kyiv and drawn with Cardiff City.
Nasir opened the scoring for the Brazilians in the second minute with a low and well-taken penalty to put his side ahead.
Masandawana quickly established control of the game, consistently creating dangerous forward movements.
They could have scored even more early goals from the clear-cut chances that they created, however, they were wasteful in front of goal.
After the half-hour mark, the Brazilians made wholesale changes to the lineup, aiming to give all players game time.
In the 37th minute, Thapelo Maseko doubled the lead for Masandawana with a hard and low strike into the bottom corner.
Just before halftime, the in-form winger Tashreeq Matthews extended Sundowns' lead to three, scoring his third goal in four pre-season matches.
The match reached the interval with the South African league champions leading 3-0.
In the second half, Bafana Ba Style picked up where they left off, enjoying a lion’s share of possession and creating even more goal-scoring opportunities.
However, Al Arabi defended resolutely to prevent further goals. Despite their efforts, they were unable to mount a comeback against the Brazilians' three first-half goals.
PREVIOUS RESULTS
- Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 SV Saundhausen
- Mamelodi Sundowns 0-1 Dynamo Kyiv
- Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Cardiff City
THE NEXT PRE-SEASON FIXTURE
Sundowns will play their final pre-season friendly against Al Hilal in Austria later today at 4 pm. With Neymar sidelined due to injury, they could face global stars including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly.
