Mamelodi Sundowns are expecting a tougher match against Jeonduk Hyundai Motors at the Fifa Club World Cup today than the one they played against hosts Kashima Antlers in the quarterfinals.
Sundowns lost 2-0 to Antlers of Japan, and have the fifth-place playoff against South Korea's Asian champions left to play for.
Kickoff is at 9.30am SA time.
Sundowns winger Keagan Dolly warned that the Asian champions might be tougher prospects than their J-League counterparts
"It's going to be tough. We know Jeonduk are a good team and they have got good [players]," he said.
The forward, one of four Sundowns players nominated for Confederation of African Football's African player of the year award, will have to lift himself from a tired-looking performance against Antlers after a gruelling 15 months of club and international fixtures.
Dolly said: "It's been very busy - it's been a long year for Sundowns. I think it's been 15 months of non-stop football without a rest.
"For some of us, it's not just Sundowns, it's also the national teams (Bafana Bafana). But I think throughout the campaign it's been a really good year for us."
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has pointed to his side's inexperience as Club World Cup rookies, saying they are in Japan on a learning curve. He said he enjoyed even the defeat against Antlers.
"I need to play this game, play the Asian champions and prepare the team for the [2017] Champions League, and as a team raise the level a little bit," said Mosimane.
Strydom is in Japan as a guest of Sundowns
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