Dutch coach Marino Pusic, manager of Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, insisted the tools to execute matter more than ideas, praising his players for delivering exactly what they had trained on against Auckland.
Al-Ahli beat New Zealand's Auckland FC 1-0 on Wednesday evening in Jeddah in their first match of the Intercontinental Cup. The win sets up a clash with South Africa's Sundowns to crown the champion of Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
Speaking at a post-match press conference published by "Arriyadiyah", the Dutch coach said: "The players executed everything they had trained on. They are now in a good position, and ideas in football are not everything, but the most important thing is the tools, and we have suitable tools to apply any tactic."
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Pressed on the summer signings, he replied: "I am very happy with all the players today. We are not sure about the future, but I am happy with those currently with me."
Pusic admitted his side fell short in the first half against Auckland. "Mendy saved us on more than one ball," he said.
"In the second half we appeared in a better shape and deserved the win," he continued. "Everyone performed at a distinguished level, they attacked and defended as one team."
Drawing a clear line between Auckland and the sides of the Saudi Roshn League, the coach explained that he builds a general picture before matches and leaves nothing to chance, while allowing his players to make some decisions once the game is under way.
Asked about Turkish defender Merih Demiral's frustration at being substituted, the Dutchman was quick to play it down: "There was no problem at all in substituting the players, just a misunderstanding."
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