The stage is set for a big showdown this Saturday. At 1:00 PM, the Saudi Super Cup final will kick off. Fans are eager to see if Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates can lift the trophy. But don’t count out the other side just yet. Al Ahli, led by their outspoken English forward Ivan Toney, comes into this match with a chip on their shoulder. They feel like the entire football world is against them.
Toney, a former Brentford player, isn’t one to hold back. He recently spoke to reporters with his usual bold confidence. He made it clear that his club believes they are the “ugly duckling” of Saudi football. It’s a strong statement, but one he says fuels their desire to win. This kind of raw honesty is typical of the forward.
“Honestly, how we’ve been treated and how we’ve prepared has been insane,” Toney explained. He detailed the team’s tough road. “We had the worst training fields. We always had to train after the other teams. People just don’t want us to win. We are the most hated team, period.” He believes this unfair treatment gives them a powerful drive. It provides an “extra hunger” to beat every opponent they face.
Toney insists this underdog spirit pushes them to perform at their best. He pointed to their impressive 5-1 victory over Al Quadisiya in the semi-final match. “You saw it in the semi-final,” he said. “We just kept pushing for more and more goals. And we delivered.” He hopes they can carry that same energy into the final. “We might not be seen as the strongest team here in Hong Kong,” Toney admitted. “But we always fight with everything we’ve got on the field.” His words paint a picture of a team ready to prove everyone wrong, driven by the belief that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.