Miguel Cardoso hasn't held back after Sundowns' shock loss to TS Galaxy, slamming a schedule that saw them play seven games in 21 days. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Miguel Cardoso will hope his team have enough time to recover from tired bodies and bruised egos after they lost 3-2 to TS Galaxy in their last Betway Premiership match of the season on Tuesday night in Polokwane.
The Mamelodi Sundowns mentor decried his team’s intense fixture list over the past month, pointing to fatigue both mentally and physically, which saw the perennial domestic champions lose ground to would-be usurpers Orlando Pirates in the title race.
The defeat ensured Sundowns finished the season on 68 points, three clear of the Sea Robbers. Pirates need only beat Durban City or Orbit College in their final two matches to wrestle the title away from Downs for the first time in eight seasons, due to a superior goal difference.
Cardoso’s team, however, are not done with the season. They have a two-legged CAF Champions League final to prepare for, starting on Sunday, against AS FAR. To facilitate this matchday, Sundowns have played nine matches this past month, and it is this schedule that the coach has taken exception to.
"I invite anyone to look at the calendar that the boys have been submitted to in the last 21 days," Cardoso said after the loss to TS Galaxy.
"After playing Esperance (twice in mid-April), we have played seven matches in 21 days. This is the fourth in a row (this month).
"I don't know if you can imagine how it is to do something like that. It means almost not sleeping at home. I knew that the energy would not be high ... We made mistakes that we do not do.
"In the last two matches, due to fatigue, we have exposed ourselves. We have shown holes that we have never suffered since I came to the club. It is quite unfortunate."
Despite the loss, Cardoso was pleased with the mental fortitude shown by his players. The Brazilians were 2-0 down as early as the 18th minute but were able to drag the match back to 2-2 by half-time. They could, however, not overcome an early second-half strike by TS Galaxy's Mpho Mvelase, which sealed the victory for the hosts.
"I think the team had the character in the first half to react to the early goals that we suffered," said Cardoso.
"When you have to recover from two goals with the legs that we don't have at the moment, it is obviously emotionally very tough. The boys showed great character. Equalising by half-time brought the game to where we wanted it to be."
Sundowns will finish the domestic season without a domestic trophy. Capturing the CAF Champions League crown, therefore, has taken on new dimensions in pressure for both Cordoso and his charges.