Artem Bondarenko omission increases pressure on Al-Ahli boss Marino Pusic

Al-Ahli midfielder Artem Bondarenko has been left out of the squad for Friday’s Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al-Hazem, increasing pressure on manager Marino Pusic in front of the club’s supporters.

Al-Ahli will host Al-Hazem at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah in the seventh round of the competition. Brazilian winger Matheus Goncalves has also been omitted from the matchday squad.

Saudi journalist Waleed Said reported on X that Pusic had decided to leave Bondarenko out. His post said: “Artem Bondarenko is out of the squad against Al-Hazem.”

It is the third time the Ukraine international has been excluded from an Al-Ahli squad since joining the club from Shakhtar Donetsk during the summer transfer window.

Bondarenko has made only two appearances for Al-Ahli since his arrival. He featured in the 3-1 defeat by Al-Kholood in the fourth round of the Roshn Saudi League and then played in the 5-0 victory over Al-Riyadh in round five.

The 26-year-old was not included for the 3-0 loss to Al-Hilal in the third round or the 3-2 defeat by Al-Qadsiah in the sixth round. His absence against Al-Hazem means he will remain out of the squad for a further match.

Bondarenko’s omission also complicates Pusic’s position, given that the Dutch coach was the driving force behind his signing. Pusic previously worked with the midfielder at Shakhtar Donetsk between 2023 and 2025.

The decision comes after Al-Ahli supporters had expressed their opposition to the transfer before it was completed. Bondarenko was also met with jeers during the match against Al-Riyadh, after which he has not featured for the team.

Pusic will therefore face Al-Hazem without the player he had specifically requested, while Bondarenko’s limited involvement since moving to Saudi Arabia continues to draw attention.