Al-Ahli suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Al-Qadisiyah on Tuesday at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, slipping to seventh place in the Saudi Roshn League after six matches. Dutch manager Marino Pusic reflected on the loss in his post-match press conference, offering multiple explanations for his side's inability to hold onto a competitive position during the encounter.
Pusic acknowledged his team's early control but emphasized how quickly the momentum shifted against them. "We started the match well and shared control with Al-Qadisiyah, but we conceded three goals," the coach explained. He noted that Al-Ahli mounted a strong second-half comeback, scoring twice and creating additional chances to narrow the gap. Despite their efforts, the Saudi Roshn League side could not complete the turnaround, leaving Pusic to analyze what went wrong.
Weather and Officiating Concerns
The conditions at Dammam played a significant role in the match's flow, according to Pusic. "The weather had a negative effect, particularly in the final minutes of the first half when Al-Qadisiyah scored," he stated. However, the manager was careful not to use environmental factors as the sole excuse. "It is not a scapegoat that I can consider the sole reason that put us three goals behind," Pusic clarified, demonstrating accountability despite the challenging circumstances. He also raised minor observations about refereeing decisions, though he stopped short of making formal complaints.
Toney and Abdulrahman Clash Viewed Positively
An altercation between Ivan Toney and Mohammed Abdulrahman during a water break in the second half drew Pusic's attention, but he interpreted the incident differently than some might expect. Rather than condemning the clash between the English striker and the Saudi right-back, Pusic saw it as a sign of competitive spirit. "These are natural things that happen between players, and a reflection of the results," he said. "Sometimes it is a positive thing, because it instils more spirit in the team." The manager pointed to Al-Ahli's subsequent performance—their urgent push to recover goals—as evidence that the heated moment energized his squad rather than destabilized it.
With three losses from their opening six matches, Al-Ahli sit on nine points in the Roshn League standings. Pusic's acknowledgment of Al-Qadisiyah's strength suggests the gap between the sides reflects genuine quality differences. Al-Ahli will seek to bounce back quickly and climb the table as the Saudi top-flight season progresses.
