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Different Challenge: ‘Downs take on German giants Borrussia Dortmund up next in the FIFA Club World Cup
By Ali Mphaki
Both clubs share an almost similar monicker. One is known as KaboYellow from South Affrica, the other as the Yellow & Blacks of Germany.
With both set to sniff gloves on Saturday evening, 6pm SA time, fans can expect a sizzling Fifa Club World Cup matchday 2 encounter which can best be described as the “battle of the Yellows”.
Charging into this match after a well-deserved 1-nil win over Asian giants Ulsan HD, the KaboYellow ensemble known as Mamelodi Sundowns come across a somewhat jaded the Yellow & Blacks in Borrusia Dortmund, BVB, still smarting from an unexpected 0-all draw with Brazilian outfit Fluminese, arguably the toughest team in the group.
Both games were played on Tuesday. All indications are that this Group F encounter is set to go to the wire, knowing from local experience how difficult it is to topple ‘Downs once they are on top of the log even though the playing fields may seem “uneven” this time around chumps like Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs etc. out of the picture.
The likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and UEFA Champions League Champions PSG are all in the same tournament which is taking place in the US.
And despite their impressive win against Ulsan HD, ‘Downs better heed the warning by BVB’s midfielder Pascal Gross: “It’s not a disaster, but we need a clear improvement,” while centre-back Waldemar Anton stated: “At the end of the day, we got a point, and that’s the most important thing. So we’ll take the point and try to do better in the next few games.”
Borussia Dortmund are treating the 0-0 draw as a point gained and are aiming to win their next two matches against ‘Downs and Ulsan HD.
More of a worry for “Downs should be the special visitors at training one day
before departing for Cincinnati, where they will face ‘Downs, BVBs chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke and managing directors Carsten Cramer and Lars Ricken welcomed Arsène Wenger and Bernd Neuendorf in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday morning.
Whilst not much can be read into that visit, BVB are treating their 0-0 draw as a point gained and are aiming to win their next two matches against ‘Downs and Ulsan HD from South Korea.
But should ‘Downs defeat BVB, the Motsepe boys can secure first spot in their group and will clinch a place in the Round of 16 – and make sure of meeting the runner-up of Group E in Atlanta on July 1 – and if Fluminense fail to beat Ulsan HD.
Set for the $250 million QL Stadium, home to FC Cincinnati, one of North America’s crown jewels of soccer infrastructure said to be the personification of modern football excellence, the match promises nothing but fireworks.
Cincinnati may be home to many spooky sites with guided tours to several haunted locations, but with the match set for 12 noon American time, one of the teams is set to see midday ghosts and leave a chilling tale.
A win for ‘Downs guarantees another $2 million (R35.8 million) for Masandawana, which can see them enjoy the spectacular views of Cincinnati along the Ohio River aboard a riverboat on a sightseeing cruise with a smile as wide as their wallet.
Only the sky is the Limit!
