Auckland FC consider themselves underdogs for Saudi Arabia fixture

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Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2026, 2:10pm

Auckland FC are entering their Intercontinental Cup fixture in Saudi Arabia against Al-Ahli Saudi FC with an underdogs mentality.

The Black Knights will play the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League Elite in a knockout match in Jeddah, but coach Pedro Moreira acknowledged Al-Ahli are viewed as the stronger side.

“They are the favourites for this game, but we must to show our face, we must to show our ambition, we must show [this] because we also deserve to be here,” the Portuguese coach said.

The 51-year-old praised some of the Asian club’s top players, including Brazilian Roger Ibanez and Portuguese forward Francisco Trincao, but promised they would work hard for the full 90 minutes to shut them down.

“We are here to compete, it’s the most important thing in this situation.

“It’s important to show our face, the way that we work. It’s a big gap between the teams, we must to understand that, but in some way we must to compete, we must to show how we work and try to put on the pitch our behaviours, our game model, the way that we train and this preparation, what we prepare for this game.

Auckland FC coach Pedro Moreira was confident in his team's abilities heading into their fixture with Al-Ahli Saudi FC. Photo / Dean Purcell

“Let’s try to do it as best as possible.”

Midfielder Daniel Normann, recently promoted from Auckland FC’s OFC Pro League team to the A-League squad, was confident in the side’s chances.

“There’s no need to sugar coat it, they’re probably the favourites but we’re here, we’re the champions of the Oceania, so we’re ready to give them a good fight,” Normann said.

“We’re going to win,” he emphatically stated.

Al-Ahli have made a strong start to the Saudi Pro League season, beating Diriyah 1-0 and Abha 4-0 alongside a round of 32 victory in the King Cup of Champions.

This is Auckland FC’s first competitive game since winning the A-League grand final.

They have played pre-season fixtures against East Coast Bays, Eastern Suburbs and the Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur at Eden Park, where they lost 2-0.