Hussein Abdulghani criticises Marino Pusic over Al Ahli’s handling of Artem Bondarenko

Former Al Ahli player Hussein Abdulghani has strongly criticised manager Marino Pusic after the Saudi club’s 3-2 loss to Al Qadsiah on Tuesday, saying the Dutch coach is adding to the team’s problems through his use of the squad.

Speaking on the MBC programme Nadeena, Abdulghani claimed Pusic had deployed players incorrectly, particularly those recruited recently, and said that was making it harder for Al Ahli to establish stability.

Al Ahli’s defeat came in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League and followed concerns over the team’s performances and selection decisions. Abdulghani said the club had now played eight matches in all competitions, meaning Pusic should already have a clearer understanding of the squad’s qualities and the best way to use his players.

He argued that the manager ought to have absorbed around 70% of the information needed to shape the team, especially given Al Ahli’s squad includes a number of high-profile internationals.

“On the coach to take responsibility, especially regarding the Ukrainian player Artem Bondarenko, who he brought himself,” said Abdulghani, a former Saudi Arabia international.

The former defender then questioned Pusic’s decision to leave Bondarenko out of Al Ahli’s most demanding fixtures while selecting him in games he considered less challenging.

“The coach keeps Artem away from the big matches and plays him in the lesser games. That is weakness and cowardice from the coach,” Abdulghani said.

Bondarenko played in Al Ahli’s matches against Al-Kholood and Al-Riyadh but was absent for the games against Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah. He was not included in the squad at all for the latest fixture.

Abdulghani’s comments were also highlighted in a post connected to the television programme, which quoted him as saying: “Al Ahli’s coach has proved he is a coward by leaving Artem out of competitive matches and using him in weak games. Wasn’t he the one who asked for him to be signed?”

He said the approach risked frustrating supporters and urged Pusic to give Bondarenko greater backing.

“This is provoking the fans. He has to give the player confidence,” Abdulghani added.

“Any player can be attacked by the fans because they are emotional, but pressure is what reveals the quality of players. What Pusic is doing with Artem looks as though he is protecting him, and that is a big mistake.”

Abdulghani warned that Al Ahli could not continue along the same path and called for a change in the manager’s methods ahead of the club’s next stage of the season. He said preparations needed to be handled differently, beginning with the meeting against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in the Intercontinental Cup.

Despite the disappointment surrounding the team, Abdulghani also appealed to Al Ahli supporters to remain behind the club during what he described as a sensitive period.

“This is their role,” he said.

He called on fans to fill the stadium for Al Ahli’s next two matches in Jeddah, insisting their backing was vital to the club’s recovery.

“In the next two matches in Jeddah, you have to fill the stands. The only solution now is for the fans to continue supporting the team so it can recover,” Abdulghani said.