Miguel Cardoso compares Arrows goal to Kaizer Chiefs mistake after Sundowns loss

The Brazilians were beaten by Junior Dion's 38th-minute strike at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, leaving them needing to overturn the deficit in next weekend's second leg in Umlazi.

Despite dominating possession for large periods, Sundowns struggled to turn their control into clear-cut opportunities, while Arrows capitalised on a lapse in the visitors' defensive organisation.

Cardoso also believes an extended stoppage caused by an injury to the Arrows goalkeeper disrupted Sundowns' momentum.

"I think we had a good start until the substitution of their goalkeeper and that took us off our rhythm because it took about seven minutes to make the substitution and then we slept until half time," he told SuperSport TV.

However, the Portuguese coach was more concerned by the manner in which his team conceded, pointing to similarities with the goal Sundowns allowed Kaizer Chiefs to score in their recent Betway Premiership encounter.

"It's a similar mistake to the one we made against Chiefs where we were not properly positioned in the rest defence and then we suffered a goal," he said.

"And it's time to learn from these things because we can't dominate the game and suffer the same problem."

Sundowns now face a crucial second leg, with their MTN8 title hopes hanging in the balance.

Cardoso, however, remains confident that the tie is far from over and believes his side still has enough time to turn the contest around.

"But this is also half time of the match, let's see what will happen when we go to Arrows," Cardoso added.

Arrows will now head into the second leg with a narrow advantage and home support behind them as they look to secure a place in the MTN8 final.