Vising praises Al-Ittihad’s response after En-Nesyri settles Asian thriller

Yenz Vising admitted Al-Ittihad were made to work hard for their 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana in the third round of the AFC Champions League Elite.

The Saudi side faced a strong opponent and encountered problems during the first half, but ultimately secured all three points after Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri scored a late winner with a powerful direct free-kick.

Speaking at his post-match news conference, Al-Ittihad manager Vising said his team could have won by a more comfortable margin after creating a number of opportunities.

“It was a difficult win. We faced problems against a strong opponent, and we suffered from some issues in the first half,” he said.

Vising said he was satisfied with the result despite Al-Ittihad’s failure to take several chances which could have made the contest less tense in its closing stages.

The manager stressed that the most important outcome was collecting three points and securing victory, even though better finishing would have allowed his team to control the match more comfortably.

He also addressed the error that occurred during the game, saying mistakes were part of football and could be made by either a coach or a referee.

However, Vising highlighted the response from his players after conceding, praising their ability to recover from the setback, level the situation and eventually turn the match in their favour.

The result was sealed in dramatic fashion when En-Nesyri found the net from a direct free-kick, giving Al-Ittihad their victory in the final moments.

Vising closed by saying he was delighted with the win, while acknowledging that his side’s missed chances had forced them into a difficult battle during the final minutes.

Al-Ittihad’s listed fixtures include a Saudi Roshn League meeting with Abha on 30 October 2026. They are also scheduled to face Tractor in the AFC Champions League Elite on 02 November 2026, while Neftchi are also listed for that date.