Pusic considers Rayan Hamed solution as Al-Ahli recover from Demiral dismissal

Marino Pusic is expected to hand Rayan Hamed a starting role for Al-Ahli’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Riyadh after Merih Demiral was sent off against Al-Hilal.

The Saudi side were beaten 3-0 by their traditional rivals on Tuesday at Kingdom Arena in a rearranged fixture from the third round of the competition. Demiral’s dismissal came shortly before half-time after he received a second yellow card for a challenge on Al-Hilal winger Crysencio Summerville.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya, Pusic is leaning towards selecting Saudi defender Rayan Hamed to fill the gap left by the suspended Turkey international when Al-Ahli face Al-Riyadh.

Al-Ahli will host Al-Riyadh on Friday at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, with the match forming part of the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League.

Pusic is yet to confirm his final decision. The Dutch coach is expected to settle on Demiral’s replacement after Al-Ahli complete their final training session on Thursday evening. Rayan Hamed is currently in contention to partner Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez at the heart of the defence.

The proposed change follows a difficult night for Al-Ahli against Al-Hilal. Demiral’s red card left Pusic with the task of reorganising his back line for the second half, and Rayan Hamed was introduced after the dismissal to play in central defence.

However, Al-Ahli were unable to prevent Al-Hilal from adding a third goal. England striker Ollie Watkins scored the final goal of the match after the defensive change had been made.

Demiral’s suspension means Pusic must now decide whether to retain Hamed from the start or make another adjustment alongside Ibanez. The manager’s choice is expected to be confirmed only after the final session before Friday’s game.

The defeat against Al-Hilal leaves Al-Ahli preparing for a quick response in their next league fixture. Their immediate opponents, Al-Riyadh, will visit Jeddah as Pusic seeks to replace a defender who played in the first half of the postponed third-round clash before his dismissal.

For Hamed, the match would provide an opportunity to begin a league fixture after being used during the second half of the defeat at Kingdom Arena. His possible selection is directly linked to Demiral’s second yellow card and the resulting suspension, with Pusic now considering the Saudi defender as the leading option for the game.