Herve Renard believes his stuttering Saudi Arabia side can win back the confidence of the fans ahead of their final Arabian Gulf Cup Group B match against Iraq in Kuwait today. Renard returned to the post two months ago, and after an opening defeat to Bahrain and an unconvincing 3-2 win over minnows Yemen, when they came back from 2-0 down, doubts have been cast over the team’s ability to advance.
But a draw will be enough to reach the last four with already-qualified Bahrain, and the coach believes he has seen enough progress already in his team to feel confident.
“I am sure that the fans are not satisfied,” he admitted at the eve-of-match press conference. “We started our challenge together just two months ago. I came back because the atmosphere around the team is very good to work in.
“We have a fantastic President of the federation, always supporting the team. We want to do our best for him and the fans because they deserve to have a better team than what we are showing at the moment. Not everything is perfect, but my confidence with the players is very high. I am not listening (to the criticism). I am in my bubble, analysing the previous game. I am realistic and trying to improve every day with these players.
“Sometimes in football there is not a big difference between winning and losing. Sometimes you have to be realistic. Don’t make it the worst when we lose and exceptional when we win. There is a balance. I agree we have to do better than what we are at the moment, but we are not far from coming back. Maybe I am too optimistic, but this is my feeling.”
The experienced coach admitted that he may tinker with his starting line-up again for the Iraq match as he tries to find the winning formula, adding that the younger players also needed the experience of international competition. Saudi Arabia are tied on three points with Iraq, with group leaders Bahrain, on six points, taking on Yemen at the same time.
Meanwhile, Iraq head coach Jesus Casas accepts that there will be questions about his future if the reigning champions fail to reach the last four. Pressure has mounted on the misfiring Iraq side following a 2-0 defeat to Bahrain.
When asked about his future, should they not qualify, at the eve-of-match press conference, he responded: “The answer is not mine, it is the decision of the head of the Football Association. Before I came to Iraq, I was warned about the pressure that is put on the coaches who are under attack and criticised all the time. I always try to win and make the fans happy. But even when I win, I am criticised. The defeat against Bahrain was only my third defeat in two years, after South Korea and Jordan, so this is a very good record for me.”
Casas said the winner-takes-all tie with Saudi Arabia will be a classic with both teams on three points and looking to go through with the already-qualified Bahrain. And he hopes his star-studded front line will also start firing.
“Since the first day, I have mentioned that it is a very tough and strong tournament,” said Casas. “As you have seen, anyone can win it. In the other group, all four teams can still qualify. From my point of view, Bahrain have been the best team in my group and they have already qualified. But Saudi are strong and I have technical staff observing their team to be ready.
“I admit that there are some problems with our offensive line but we have to overcome these issues in the next match.”
Meanwhile, Bahrain will use the luxury of already qualifying for the semi-finals to rest star striker Ali Madan and other players for their final Group B match against Yemen. Madan marked his 99th appearance for his country by scoring two goals as Bahrain beat Iraq, 2-0, taking them top of the group after also beating Saudi Arabia in their first game.
They face a Yemen team who have performed well, but are already eliminated following two narrow defeats, meaning head coach Dragan Talajic can rest
some key players, including his chief marksman.
Herve Renard
