FIFA Club World Cup Group F Recap: Ulsan HD 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Ulsan HD endured a frustrating evening in Orlando, falling 1-0 to South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. 

A pulsating Group F encounter at the Inter & Co Stadium ended in heartbreak for Ulsan HD as Mamelodi Sundowns clinched a narrow 1–0 victory, thanks to a first‑half strike from Iqraam Rayners, securing the first-ever win by an African side at this revamped 32-team Club World Cup.

Despite showing flashes of promise, the K League side struggled to impose themselves and were ultimately undone by a moment of precision from Lucas Ribeiro and a calm finish from Iqraam Rayners in the first half.

Weather Delay & Opening Stages

A severe weather threat halted proceedings for over an hour before kick-off, as lightning delayed the start, with referee Clément Turpin sending players back to the dressing rooms. Once underway, Sundowns immediately took control, showcasing patience and fluid short-passing football, evident from an early chance by Lucas Ribeiro, though his shot was blocked inside the opening minute.

Early Counter Threat from Ulsan

Ulsan replied with intent, catching Sundowns on the break in the fourth minute through Erick Farias. His first-time effort, however, sailed narrowly over the crossbar, denying Ulsan an early lifeline.  It was a warning sign of Ulsan’s threat in transition, but also a chance they would come to regret not converting.

Ulsan’s best spells came in brief moments when they were able to bypass Sundowns’ midfield press. Kim Min-woo and Darijan Bojanic looked to move the ball quickly, while Seol Young-woo provided energy down the right, but final-third quality was lacking.

First-Half Drama & Rayners' Breakthrough

The half grew tense as Rayners found the net twice, only to be thwarted by VAR, first for handball, then for offside. But on 36 minutes, the patience paid off. Lucas Ribeiro threaded a precise through ball to Rayners, who tapped home from close range to give Sundowns a deserved lead.

Second Half: Tactical Tweaks

Halftime changes, including the introduction of Venezuelan winger Matías Lacava, brought more purpose to Ulsan’s play. They pushed higher up the pitch and began to ask more questions of the Sundowns defence. Lacava, in particular, found space in the left channel and looked Ulsan’s most creative outlet.

However, the final ball continued to let them down. Crosses were often overhit or easily cleared, and clear chances remained few and far between. Their best opportunity came in the 80th minute, when Lacava slipped a pass through to Lee Dong-gyeong, whose low drive was well saved by Ronwen Williams in the Sundowns goal.

Sundowns shifted gears after the break. They relinquished some of the ball to Ulsan, opting for a more conservative stance, while still probing for a potential second goal. Ulsan pressed hard, introducing Matías Lacava, whose movement brought renewed energy, but their best second-half chance, arriving in the 80th minute, was expertly saved by Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams.

Key Moments & Tactical Battles

• Rayners emerged as the pivotal figure, not just for the decisive goal, but for his relentless hunger, having two others disallowed.
• Sundowns' dominance in possession, hovering around 70%, allowed them to control tempo, though their final-third execution remained lukewarm.
• Ulsan’s approach of hitting on the counter looked promising early, but faded as their attacking impetus waned.
• A few near-misses from Ulsan highlighted their inefficiency; Erick Farias squandered a golden opportunity in the fourth minute, while late entries from substitutes couldn’t break through.
  
  

The Result & Group Implications

The result leaves Ulsan at the bottom of Group F, with matches against Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense to come, both now must-win affairs. Speaking post-match, head coach Kim Pan-gon said: “We lacked composure in the key moments. The players worked hard, but at this level, one lapse is enough to lose the game.”

Mamelodi Sundowns sit atop Group F with three points, leapfrogging Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense, who had played out a 0–0 draw.

Ulsan HD's Remaining Fixtures

Fluminense (Brazil), Sun. 22nd June - 07:00 AM KST
Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Thur. 26th June - 04:00 AM KST