DOWNS BUT NOT OUT

IN A classic battle that saw class triumph over endeavour, German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund ran out 4-3 winners over Mamelodi Sundowns, on Saturday in Ohio.

The outcome will take Dortmund to the top of the Club World Cup’s Group F log, and both teams still have a chance to reach the play-offs with one round of matches remaining.

Former Dortmund striker Tashreeq Matthews sent a perfectly timed pass through the central Dortmund defence to Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro, who confidently slotted home the first goal after shaking off three defenders in the 11th minute to make it 1-0 for Downs.

A terrible mistake by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams changed the tone of the match as Dortmund grabbed an equaliser.

Williams attempted a pass out from the back but got it all wrong, and the ball fell to the lurking Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who calmly scored the equaliser with unnerving composure in the 16th minute.

Just past the half-hour mark, Sundowns were dispossessed in midfield, and the tide turned sharply.

They were left to rue their lapse as Dortmund’s leading marksman Serhou Guirassy made them pay, heading home a goalmouth cross from close range.

This gave Dortmund a 2-1 crucial lead, amplifying the pressure on Sundowns as they approached the half-time mark.

In a half that held much promise for Sundowns, their anxieties deepened just before half-time when Jobe Bellingham found the net with the opposition defence in disarray (3-1).

When second-half play resumed, Sundowns refused to buckle under the pressure and had to assert their dominance on the field.

They managed two half-chances in the opening 15 minutes, but once Dortmund absorbed that pressure, they went further ahead on the hour mark through an own goal by Sundowns fullback Khuliso Mudau (4-1).

Despite the setback, Sundowns did not allow despair to set in, and they continued to push forward in search of redemption. The tireless pursuit finally bore fruit three minutes later when Iqraam Rayners reduced the deficit (4-2).

In the final minute, substitute Lebo Mothiba scored Sundowns' third goal but it was a case of too little too late.

Downs now face log leaders Fluminense in their final match on Wednesday.  The South Africans are one point behind Fluminense and Dortmund.