Summerfield Dynamos coach Clinton Larsen has admitted the gulf in quality between Mamelodi Sundowns and other teams is enormous after his charges were thumped 5-0 by a second-string side in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal.
The ABC Motsepe League side were underdogs heading into the encounter. Still, Sundowns approached it with the utmost professionalism despite making 10 changes from their last fixture against Swallows FC on Wednesday.
“The stage was big for some of my players; many of my boys had not played on this stage before, but playing here will boost our morale going forward,” Larsen said after the game.
The former Golden Arrows coach praised the defending league champions as they outclassed them in all departments.
“Credit goes to our opponents. They were a different class today. Their quality and depth is scary,” he added.
“The gulf in class was there for everybody to see; I’m happy the boys gave it their all. We weren’t good enough. We can now focus on the playoffs.
“In every position, there is quality; I was walking through the tunnel now and seeing the guys who didn’t play. I was saying thank God they weren’t on the field. So much quality. What they’ve built over the last five, six, seven years has been magnificent; everything has been in awe.”
Despite the humiliating defeat, the 51-year-old was happy about the team effort.
“It was a great experience and exercise for my team and a good learning curve. We tried our best, and I’m proud of my boys.”
