Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says his players felt the full force of their tight schedule during their surprising 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy on Tuesday.
Sundowns, coming from a three-match winning run in one week, were largely second best against Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium, and were duly punished for their lethargic display, when Kamogelo Sebelebele slotted home the lone goal on the stroke of halftime.
The PSL leaders found it hard to break down Galaxy, who also took the game to them, and Cardoso admits his side struggled to cope with the rhythm of the game due to their heavy workload.
“We were dominant all game and TS Galaxy defended all game,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV after the match.
Cardoso rues tight schedule
“Obviously, we did not have the energy that we needed, it is the fourth match in 72 hours and we were penalised because of that.
“I think that we had the better chances, we should have scored but we suffered, we were penalised with the goal in the last minute of the first half and we had no energy for the second half.”
Cardoso made some changes at halftime when Kegan Johannes and Tashreeq Matthews went off for Thapelo Morena and Iqraam Rayners but it still did not change the course of the game.
“It is normal that a team that is defending wants to kick in the front so that we cannot go full energy in attack. I think we coped with their offensive,” he added.
“We knew we had to risk, we changed strategy in terms of system but they defended very well and we have to congratulate them for the effort they put in defensively.”
Is it advantage Pirates?
Defeat saw Sundowns miss a chance to go 12-points clear as they still nine points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have two games in hand, but their coach maintains it has no bearing on the title race.
“The lesson is to continue to look forward and continue to work, I always said that it will be a long championship so my position today is exactly the same,” said the Portuguese tactician.
“We will rise from today and sure we will come even stronger.”
Sundowns have just three days before their next match, a home clash against lower league side Mpheni Home Defenders in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 on Saturday, and it will be followed by a trip to Marumo Gallants next Wednesday.
