Comfortable win for Sundowns over Al-hilal
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (1) 1 Mailula 25
IT WAS not the kind of performance that would have any of the North African giants worrying it could be 2016 all over again.
And it definitely was not in line with the Brazilians’ all-conquering domestic form that has seen them edge closer to a sixth successive championship title.
But it was a win all right, and a comfortable one at that. And in this kind of campaign, and at this stage, it is the result that matters – not the manner of it.
The 1-0 scoreline would suggest this was a close affair. But Sundowns had it much easier and were actually robbed of a legitimate second goal that would have seen Cassius Mailula completing a brace in the CAF Champions League Group B opener.
Having tapped in the opener just before the half-hour mark, after Alhilal goalkeeper Ali Abdalla failed to hold on to a Neo Maema shot from the edge of the box, Mailula scored early on after half-time. But the assistant on the far side inconceivably had his flag up, despite Mailula being onside when Maema sent through a defence-splitting pass to find the on-form striker.
Having never lost a match against the Sudanese champions in six previous clashes, few in the home crowd who braved the wet weather would not have thought of their team coming a cropper in the seventh.
And from the onset, Sundowns looked to be in charge, knocking the ball about confidently as they took time to settle into their rhythm. Once they did, they looked threatening whenever they went forward, although not in the same fierce way they usually do in domestic matches.
On the slippery pitch, the players seemed to struggle a bit as they often fell unprovoked.
Early chances fell for Peter Shalulile, who failed to connect with a cross, and Maema, whose snapshot from the edge of the box went straight at the keeper.
Maema then took a much harder shot that led to Mailula’s goal and it appeared the 2016 champions would send a warning sign to the rest of the continent that they mean business this time round.
But there was to be no goal avalanche as Al-hilal managed to somehow hold their own and keep Sundowns at bay.
Shalulile had a chance when he made a good turn to shoot inside the box, but he directed his attempt directly at the goalkeeper.
Al-hilal made some inroads into the opposition half themselves, albeit without really looking threatening.
There was a chance on the 44th minute, but Grant Kekana calmly quelled the danger with a clearance that resulted in a corner kick.
Al-hilal ended the match a man down when Al tayeb Abdalla got a second booking, albeit belatedly given that he had made numerous offences worthy of a booking before that.
Next up for Sundowns is a trip away to Cameroon’s Coton Sport, and they should be able to get maximum points there too.
Yet given this narrow scoreline here, the Cameroonians would welcome them with some confidence, believing they can hold their own against the 2016 champions whose domestic form has suggested that this could be the year they finally win that second title.