Al-Ahli supporters turn on Pusic after Al-Shabab take control of Riyadh clash

Al-Ahli supporters called for manager Marino Pusic to be dismissed after their side fell 3-1 behind to Al-Shabab at half-time in the Roshn Saudi League on Friday.

The visitors were playing Al-Shabab at SHG Arena in Riyadh in the 12th round of the competition, but their afternoon quickly deteriorated after goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi was sent off in the 22nd minute.

Al-Shabab took advantage of the numerical advantage and went into the interval with a two-goal lead. The capital club also created several further chances, although they failed to convert them.

The situation prompted a strong reaction from the Al-Ahli fans inside SHG Arena. At the end of the first half, they repeatedly chanted: “Pusic out”, expressing their demand for the Dutch coach’s immediate removal.

It was not the first occasion on which Al-Ahli supporters have directed their anger at Pusic. They have voiced their dissatisfaction on several previous occasions, particularly following the club’s signing of Ukrainian midfielder Artem Bondarenko from Shakhtar.

Pusic has been in charge of Al-Ahli since the start of the current season, when he replaced German manager Matthias Jaissle.

The Dutchman has overseen 16 matches since taking the role, recording 11 victories, four defeats and one draw.

The fixture information accompanying the match lists Al Sadd against Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite on 02 November 2026. It also lists Al-Ahli against Abha in the Roshn Saudi League on 05 November 2026, with Al-Shabab also included in the schedule information.