Herve Renard, Saudi Arabia national team head coach Come out to encourage the team to fight in the remaining 2 matches in the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers 3rd round, and set the target for go to the FIFA World Cup 2022 as champions of the group.
Now, Saudi Arabia, still leading in the Group B after collecting 19 points from 8 matches, they are four points clear of Australia in the 3rd placed.
A win against China PR in Sharjah will be enough to secure a place in the Finals for the sixth time in the nation’s history, making it back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifications for the first time since 2002 and 2006. A draw on Thursday might also be enough for Renard’s side should the Samurai Blue come away from Sydney with the three points.
“We are in an excellent position in the group, The players have done an incredible job, and everything is now in our own hands.” Herve Renard said with AFC.
“the most important thing is to get one of the two direct tickets to the World Cup, but I want us to finish first because we have been topping the group for a long time.”
“In international football, things are always difficult but when you are representing your nation, there is no place for relaxing. We cannot take our foot off the gas at this important stage.”
Three and a half years into his time in charge of the Green Falcons, Renard has earned the plaudits for the work he has done, and if the 53-year-old’s history is anything to go by, then getting that all-important win at the final hurdle is a task he knows all too well how to manage.
The task at hand is slightly different for Renard with Saudi Arabia, unlike his previous national team sides, relying purely on footballers plying their trade in the domestic league, a competition that attracts big names from around the world, which poses its own challenges.
“There are many foreign players in each club in the league, which makes my job a bit more difficult; I know the qualities and level of all players I selected. I have also been in constant communication with their coaches at club level. Everything is going very well so far with this group of players.” He said
“We prepare for this game like we do for every game. I have full confidence in my players. I am sure the players will deliver and bring home the World Cup ticket.
“Hassan Tambakti and Abdullah Madu played this weekend and so did Salman Al Faraj, this is all good news for me. I’m in continuous communication with their clubs’ coaches and I know where they are in terms of fitness.”
“We have five central defenders in the squad, which will be enough to see us through both games. Madu played very well with us in the national team whenever he was selected, so whatever has happened at Al Nassr, does not concern me. I’m a coach for the national team.”
“It’s been almost four years in Saudi Arabia for me. I would like to congratulate everyone for the effort and work they have done to this point. But it is very important that nobody should forget that we have not qualified yet. There is a difficult match ahead and we are ready to take on the challenge.”
Credit Photo : KARIM JAAFAR/AFP
