Al-Ahli coach hails players after reaching Intercontinental Cup final

Al-Ahli Saudi FC head coach Marin Pušić praised his team's performance against New Zealand's Auckland City in the opening round of the 2026 Intercontinental Cup for clubs, held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Pušić made his remarks during the post-match press conference after Al-Ahli secured their place in the Intercontinental Cup final for Africa, Asia, and the Pacific by defeating Auckland City 1-0. The team will now face South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns on September 19.

Pušić noted that his team faced a strong opponent who posed various challenges throughout the match. He credited the collective spirit and significant effort from the players for the victory, highlighting goalkeeper Edouard Mendy's crucial role at key moments and emphasizing the team's strength as a cohesive unit.

He added that the technical work implemented by the coaching staff is gradually reflecting in the players' performances as they adapt to new ideas and tactics. Pušić expressed satisfaction with the players' efforts and their execution of instructions on the field.

For his part, Auckland City head coach Pedro Morera acknowledged Al-Ahli's ability to capitalize on counterattacks and space, which prompted his team to focus on closing gaps and limiting Al-Ahli's threat during their preparations.

Morera said his team tried to get back into the match and score an equalizer, but their attempts were unsuccessful. He expressed pride in his players' performance against a strong opponent and in front of a large crowd.