Al-Ahli Win 1-0 in Pusic's First Match in Charge

Al-Ahli opened their 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign with a 1-0 win over Al-Diriyah on 13 August 2026 at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, marking a winning start for new head coach Marino Pusic.

The only goal of the match came in the 25th minute through Eduard Spertsyan, whose strike proved enough to secure all three points for the visitors and hand Pusic victory in his first competitive game in charge.

The fixture was Pusic's debut on the touchline after his appointment as Al-Ahli's head coach ahead of the new season. A clean-sheet win over a hard-working Al-Diriyah side offered an encouraging early sign for supporters as the team begins a fresh chapter.

Why it matters

The Saudi Pro League continues to draw strong local and international attention, and season openers set the tone for the months ahead. For Al-Ahli fans in Jeddah and across the Kingdom, an opening-day victory under a new coach provides momentum as the campaign unfolds.

With the league season now underway, further fixtures across Riyadh, Jeddah and other cities are expected to keep drawing crowds and building anticipation among the Kingdom's growing football community.

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