Marino Pusic insists Al-Ahli are ‘always the better side’ after Pakhtakor draw

Al-Ahli head coach Marino Pusic has defended his team’s performances after criticism intensified following their 1-1 draw with Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League Elite.

The Saudi side conceded a late equaliser at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah on Monday, in the opening round of the league stage, having appeared close to suffering defeat.

Despite the result, Pusic said Al-Ahli had been the dominant team throughout the match and deserved credit for their performance.

“What can I say about this game? It was a one-sided match,” Pusic said at his post-match news conference, in comments reported by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We created many chances and the only thing missing was scoring.”

The Dutchman added that Al-Ahli had produced more than 20 attempts on goal, while also pointing to the number of changes he made to the starting line-up.

“We had more than 20 shots, but we were not successful in scoring,” he said. “My team deserves praise, especially after I rested many players.”

Pusic reiterated his belief that Al-Ahli had controlled the contest and maintained that the team’s performances had consistently made them the stronger side.

“I repeat that in every match we are the better team, and we have complete control of the game,” he said. “I am proud of the players and the performance they gave.

“We will think about the upcoming commitments and close the chapter on this match.”

The coach’s assessment was supported by Al-Ahli forward Firas Al-Buraikan, who also described the contest as one-sided but conceded that the team had not achieved the desired result.

“It was a one-sided game, and this is not our team,” Al-Buraikan said. “We are preparing for the match against Mamelodi Sundowns and, as the coach said, we gave everything today, but we were not successful.

“We will come back stronger, God willing.”

Al-Ahli will next face South African club Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, when they contest the Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup.