Video: Hussein Abdulghani: Bozidar Bandovic adds to Al-Ahli's problems, and his handling of Artem was a big mistake
"Filling the stands is the most important solution"
Hussein Abdulghani, the former Al-Ahli Saudi star, directed scathing criticism at Al-Ahli's head coach, the Dutchman Marino Pusic, following the 3-2 defeat to Al-Qadsiah on Tuesday, in the sixth round of the Saudi Roshn Pro League.
Speaking on MBC's Nadeena programme, Abdulghani said Al-Ahli's coach is deploying players incorrectly, especially the new signings. That is increasing the team's problems and undermining any hope of stability.
Al-Ahli have played eight matches so far across all competitions, he pointed out, and by now Pusic should understand 70% of the team's affairs, his players' abilities and how to deploy them correctly, particularly as the squad includes international players with big names.
The former Saudi national team star was emphatic: "The coach must take responsibility, regarding the Ukrainian player Artem Bondarenko, whom he brought himself."
He explained: "The coach keeps Artem away from the big matches and fields him in the lesser games, and this is weakness and cowardice from the coach."
Artem featured against Al-Khaleej and Al-Riyadh, he noted, but was absent against Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah, left out of the squad entirely.
He continued: "This is a provocation to the fans... he must give the player confidence."
He added: "Any player may come under attack from the fans because they are emotional, but pressure is what reveals players' quality, yet what Pusic is doing with Artem seems as if he is protecting him, and this is a big mistake."
Sticking with the same approach would be a mistake, he warned, urging the coach to change his method in the coming phase and prepare for matches differently, starting with the game against South Africa's Sundowns in the Intercontinental Cup.
Abdulghani advised Al-Ahli's fans to stand by the club during this sensitive period despite their sadness. "This is their role," he affirmed.
He said: "In the next two matches in Jeddah you must fill the stands. The only solution now is the continued support of the crowd for the team to recover."
