Saudi legend calls for Marino Pusic to leave Al Ahli after Mamelodi Sundowns defeat

Former Al Ahli and Saudi Arabia player Hussein Abdulghani has called for Marino Pusic to be removed after the club’s 2-1 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Intercontinental Cup.

Abdulghani placed a significant share of the blame for the loss on the Al Ahli manager, arguing that the team’s performance deteriorated markedly after half-time.

Al Ahli had impressed during the opening 45 minutes, according to Abdulghani, but lost much of its strength after the interval. He criticised Pusic for failing to respond effectively to the way the match developed and for not exploiting the space behind the Mamelodi Sundowns defence.

Speaking on the Nadina programme, Abdulghani said: “It was a painful defeat for the team. Al Ahli started the first half in an excellent way, but in the second half Pusic let the team down. He appeared resigned, did not react and failed to exploit the spaces behind Sundowns.”

The former Al Ahli player and Saudi Arabia international said he had expected the South African side to score, believing it was only a matter of time.

“I knew Sundowns would score; it was only a matter of time,” he added. “The manager’s technical interventions in the second half were strange. Brendarenko came into the match and was not good, and I do not know why he was brought on.”

Abdulghani continued his criticism by claiming Pusic had not understood the atmosphere or demands of the game. He said the manager’s decisions had increased Al Ahli’s difficulties rather than helping the team cope with pressure from Mamelodi Sundowns.

“Pusic did not deal with the match logically,” Abdulghani said. “He was very poor. He is a cunning coach who does not know how to deal with the circumstances of a match, and the manager’s interventions harmed Al Ahli.”

The former Saudi Arabia player then gave a clear view on Pusic’s future at the club, saying the manager’s work during his time in charge did not justify another opportunity to lead the team.

His comments came after a defeat that prevented Al Ahli from claiming a positive result against the African champions. Abdulghani concluded with a direct call for the manager to leave.

“Pusic should not return to the team after the series of disasters he has committed,” he said.