Pusic says Al Ahli missed chance to change African-Asian-Pacific Cup final

Al Ahli head coach Marino Pusic believes his side could have secured a different outcome against Mamelodi Sundowns had they converted their opportunities during the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup final.

Sundowns won 2-1 on Saturday to claim the inaugural FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup 2026, with Nuno Santos scoring both goals for Miguel Cardoso’s team.

Although Al Ahli were beaten, Pusic said his players had controlled much of the match and restricted Sundowns to few clear opportunities. He felt that was particularly true until the closing stages.

“We knew they are a very good team and a very long period together, good playing team, and they are good in ball possession as well – so they showed that as well, one more time,” Pusic said.

The Al Ahli manager acknowledged that Sundowns’ ability to keep possession and their long-standing understanding made them difficult opponents, but he also believed his team had identified and exploited areas in which they could be vulnerable.

“I said we controlled things without conceding big chances, until the last 20 minutes of the second half, and I think we used their weaknesses in a good way – only we didn’t score a goal in that moment.”

Pusic also credited the cohesion that exists within the Sundowns squad. He pointed to the time many of their players have spent together for both club and country, saying that experience had helped build a strong collective understanding.

“We knew they are a good team, they have been playing for a long period together, they are in the national team for a long time together and they have a lot of automatism,” he added.

He described Sundowns as a fit side and accepted that facing them was always likely to be a demanding task. However, Pusic continued to feel the final might have developed differently if Al Ahli had been more clinical during their strongest periods.

“They are fit team as well. Always a tough opponent to face, but like I said – if we took our chances in our good moments, it could have been a very different game for them.”

Pusic ended by congratulating Sundowns on winning the trophy, while also reflecting on the missed chances that stopped Al Ahli from making their better spells count.

“I want to congratulate them as well for winning this cup. So congrats to the team.”