Match Preview: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Ulsan HD

They will be looking to make an emphatic statement about African football’s place on the global stage.

The contrast between these two sides couldn’t be more stark, and it’s not just about geography. Sundowns arrive at this tournament as domestic champions once again, having wrapped up the PSL Premiership title in dominant fashion. Their numbers tell the story of a team operating at a different level: 65 goals scored and just 13 conceded across 28 league matches, with only one defeat all season. It’s the kind of statistical dominance that speaks to both attacking prowess and defensive solidity.

Ulsan HD, meanwhile, find themselves in the middle of their K League campaign, sitting third after 19 matches with a record that suggests they’re competitive but hardly overwhelming. Eight wins, five draws, and six losses paint the picture of a solid outfit, but their 23 goals scored against 19 conceded shows they’re operating at a more modest level than their South African opponents.

The key battle will likely center around midfield creativity and how each team’s possession-based approach translates on the night. Both sides like to keep the ball, Sundowns averaging 67% possession in their domestic campaign compared to Ulsan’s 60%. It’s what Miguel Cardoso’s men do with the ball that will prove decisive.

For Ulsan, the spotlight falls on their Brazilian import Erick Farias. The 28-year-old midfielder-forward has been their main goal threat this season, finding the net eight times in 14 league appearances. His average of three shots per game suggests he’s not shy about testing goalkeepers, and he’ll likely be the focal point of their attacking ambitions against Sundowns.

Supporting Farias is Swedish national Darijan Bojanic, whose role as a deep-lying playmaker could prove crucial. The central midfielder’s ability to pick out key passes (averaging 2.3 per game) along with his two goals and two assists in 10 matches this season, makes him the creative engine that could unlock Sundowns’ defence.

But here’s where the numbers start favoring the South Africans significantly. Sundowns’ goals-per-game ratio of 2.3 compared to Ulsan’s 1.2 isn’t just a statistical curiosity, it reflects a team that has spent the entire season breaking down organized defenses and finding ways to score. When you’ve managed 65 goals in 28 games while maintaining defensive discipline, you’re operating with both tactical sophistication and individual quality.

The timing factor also works heavily in Sundowns’ favor. They arrive at this tournament having completed their domestic season, match-sharp, and with their combinations honed through months of competitive football. Ulsan, by contrast, is being pulled away mid-season from a campaign where they’re fighting for league position, the kind of distraction that can affect focus and preparation.

From a tactical perspective, this match represents Sundowns’ best opportunity in Group F to secure three points and build momentum for tougher tests ahead. Against Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense, they’ll need to be tactically perfect and hope for some fortune. Against Ulsan, they have the quality and form to control the game from start to finish.

The expectation is clear: anything less than victory would represent a significant setback for Sundowns’ qualification hopes. But based on current form, domestic dominance, and the disparity in attacking output, this looks like a fixture where Sundowns can announce their arrival at this tournament in emphatic style. A convincing win would establish Sundowns as genuine contenders for second place in the group. The stage is set for South African football to make a statement – the question is whether Sundowns are ready to deliver it.