Iqraam Rayners’ first-half strike earned Mamelodi Sundowns a landmark 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan HD in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup group stage on Tuesday.
The result marks the first-ever win for an African club in the expanded tournament, and Mamelodi’s first Club World Cup victory in any format, having previously lost both games in their only appearance in 2016.
The game played at the Inter&Co Stadium in front of a sparse crowd of under 1,000 spectators, the game kicked off more than an hour later than scheduled due to severe weather warnings.
Rayners was denied a goal earlier in the first half after bundling the ball over the line from a corner, only for VAR to spot a handball. But the South Africa international made no mistake moments later, converting from close range after fine build-up play from Lucas Ribeiro.
Nicknamed “The Brazilians” due to their yellow kits and attacking flair, Mamelodi Sundowns dominated possession in the first half, with Teboho Mokoena’s curling free-kick drawing a top save from Ulsan keeper Jo Hyeon-woo.
Iqraam Rayners celebrates after scoring the opening goal with Arthur Sales during the FIFA Club World Cup group F match between Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando. Photo Credit: AP
Despite their early struggles, Ulsan came back strongly after the interval. Erick Farias — who had missed a golden opportunity in the opening minutes led a series of counterattacks as the South Koreans pushed for an equaliser.
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But Sundowns held firm, and nearly doubled their lead late on when Tashreeq Matthews blazed a breakaway chance over the bar.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso praised his players’ discipline and energy management.
“I think the first half was very beautiful, a lot of control. We didn’t get the second goal, and the pressure came, but I think my players did a wonderful job. We are very proud — the first victory of an African team in the tournament,” he said post-match.
Cardoso, who gave veteran midfielder Themba Zwane his first start since September following injury, added:
“It’s not easy to achieve victories. Today, I think we released a lot of energy in the right way.”
Ulsan HD’s Jung Woo-young goes after the ball with Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro during the FIFA Club World Cup group F match. Photo Credit: AP
Sundowns, the reigning South African Premier Division champions, lost the CAF Champions League final earlier this month, but responded with resilience on the global stage.
Ulsan manager Kim Pan-gon remained upbeat despite the defeat:
“We couldn’t garner the victory or score any points. Even though we didn’t accomplish all the objectives, I believe we had a satisfactory result, under very difficult conditions, our players did their best,” he said
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With this result, Mamelodi Sundowns sit atop Group F with three points, while Ulsan find themselves at the bottom. Sundowns’ next face Borussia Dortmund, while Ulsan take on Fluminense on June 21.
Iqraam Rayners scores the winner as Mamelodi Sundowns defeat Ulsan Hyundai 1-0 in their Club World Cup opener, securing the first-ever win by an African side in the expanded tournament.
