Mamelodi Sundowns completed their pre-season tour of the Netherlands unbeaten and with just a week before the season starts, Soccer Laduma provides their progress report.
READ: Arrows Announce Five New Signings
NAC Breda 1-2 Sundowns
The Brazilians' unbeaten record in Europe this pre-season came courtesy of a 2-1 win over NAC Breda on Friday afternoon.
They went 2-0 up in the first 15 minutes thanks to goals by Mosa Lebusa and Marcelo Allende.
The Dutch side pulled a goal back around the hour-mark, as Rulani Mokwena's charges held on to secure their third win in four pre-season friendlies.
Sparta Rotterdam 1-4 Sundowns
In their third pre-season game, the Brazilians thrashed Sparta 4-1 courtesy of a brace by Peter Shalulile and a goal apiece from new signing Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who got his second goal on the tour, and then a goal from fellow newcomer, Thapelo Maseko.
Sundowns' plan for the game was to start strongly and score early goals and they achieved their objectives exactly as planned.
"It was exactly what Coach Rulani [Mokwena] said even before the game. He said we will start quickly and with a quick start you have to score the goals because if you don't score the goals these guys will have a way of coming back into the game," goalkeeper coach Wendell Robinson told the club's official website.
Robinson added that their main objective was to score as many goals, to prepare well, as last season they didn't score enough. They are also looking to eliminate mistakes, as they feel they are conceding a lot of goals from mistakes, including the 2-2 draw with Gent.
However, not to get carried away, Sparta Rotterdam had made 10 changes to the side that hammered Belgian side Zulte Waregem 4-0 three days prior.
In their report after the game, the Dutch side notably remarked that they struggled to deal with the pace of Shalulile, who scored a brace.
Go Ahead Eagles 0-1 Sundowns
Sundowns faced their toughest game yet, according to coach Michael Loftman, after Sammy Seabi's lone strike decided the game in the Tshwane giants' favour.
The game was described as very tactical and physical by Loftman, who explained that what also came from the match was the emphasis on rewarding younger players who deserved a chance with minutes.
KAA Gent 2-2 Sundowns
Sundowns' first pre-season game in the Netherlands was against Gent, where they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.
The Brazilians took the lead through new signing Lucas Ribeiro Costa and then another goal came from Rivaldo Coetzee.
Senior coach Manqoba Mngqithi described their goals as "high level" especially "a cracker" from Coetzee.
The purpose of Sundowns' first game was to test themselves against a team that will not give them respect, of sitting back, as is usually the case in the domestic league, according to Mngqithi, who also expressed concern that they conceded two goals from behind, which is unlike them.
Another new signing, Junior Mendieta also got praise from Mngqithi as "the hardest running offensive player who will compliment Peter Shalulile".
The reigning champions will open their 2023/24 DStv Premiership season next Friday evening away to Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
READ: Dzvukamanja's Pirates Exit To Open Doors
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
