Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has questioned the number of yellow cards shown to his players.
The Portuguese coach spoke after Sundowns produced an impressive 5-2 victory against AmaZulu.
However, Cardoso’s biggest concern involved the disciplinary record his team continues to accumulate.
Sundowns have already collected 15 yellow cards across their opening five matches this season.
Cardoso believes those bookings could eventually weaken their challenge for the PSL title.
Cardoso questions Sundowns’ disciplinary record
The Sundowns coach compared his team’s record with several opponents this season.
He pointed to their high possession numbers while questioning the frequency of their bookings.
Against AmaZulu, Sundowns received four yellow cards, while their opponents collected only one.
They also picked up three bookings against Golden Arrows, compared with one for their opponents.
Sundowns then received one yellow card against Marumo Gallants, who received none.
The numbers have left Cardoso increasingly frustrated with the situation.
“I’m pretty happy, I’m just not happy with seeing my players receive so many yellow cards. I think it’s important that we understand that we have already in five matches, 15 yellow cards,” said Cardoso.
“A team like Sundowns that dominates match after match you’ll go and see the stats, and you’ll see how much ball possession we have. We finished with four yellow cards, AmaZulu with one.
“We played Golden Arrows, we finished with three, Golden Arrows with one. We played Marumo Gallants, we finished with one yellow card, Marumo with zero. Chiefs was 4, 4 (yellow cards), Polokwane 2, 2 but Polokwane shouldn’t have had one but three yellow cards.”
Sundowns worried about title race impact
Cardoso also brought last season’s disciplinary figures into the discussion.
Sundowns collected 53 yellow cards during the previous campaign.
Meanwhile, eventual champions Orlando Pirates received only 28 yellow cards.
The Brazilians also recorded four red cards, while Pirates finished without one.
Cardoso believes suspensions could become decisive during the crucial stages.
“The yellow cards put players out as we go through the championship [race], and those matches in the front will define this championship [race]. To the referees, please pay attention to the way you are so easily coming to target my players because it’s too easy to target my players.”
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