Coach Herve Renard Sunday said Saudi Arabia are expecting a feisty clash against Jordan in the semi-final of the FIFA Arab Cup today.
Renard, who coached Saudi Arabia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Sunday also said his players won’t adopt half measures against the 2023 AFC Asian Cup finalists.
“After reaching this stage of a tournament, all matches are usually difficult and tough, and require the best effort from every player. And certainly all of my players are aware of this and
they are ready for Jordan,” Renard said Sunday at a press conference.
“I have confidence in the players’ ability to perform at their best and win so we can reach the final,” Renard said ahead of the match scheduled to take place at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
“Our preparations have been good for this match. We will be playing to win so we can play the final,” the popular Frenchman added.
The Saudi coach added: “Our goal is to to get the win in order to please the Saudi fans who have come to Qatar in large numbers to support the team. We will spare no effort to raise the flag of Saudi football here.”
Renard, 57, said that he has ‘a good relationship’ with Jordan’s coach Jamal Sellami.
“I know he is focused on working with his own team just like any other coach. I have worked with him for a long time,” he said.
Morocco coach Sellami Sunday said: “Our preparations are good, we gave some players a rest and Sunday will be the final preparation.”
The coach added: “We will face a strong and a title favourite team. They have no absences while we have a key player missing out. For the first time, we will play without Yazan al-Naimat and Musa al-Taamari together. We will have to defend smart in the match.”
Sellami continued: “We know the strength of the Saudi national team. We will have to be at our best.”
The Jordan coach admitted Saudi Arabia will be a tough opponent and that his side won’t be thinking of the final just yet.
Sellami told reporters Sunday: “My focus is on the next match. We will face a solid team in defence, attack and midfield. They have some of the best players in Asia. They also have Mohammed Kanno, who has returned to his best form.
“The most important thing now is to face Saudi Arabia, and then consider the final.
“I have a good relationship with Herve Renard and there’s mutual respect also. He deserves respect and is worthy of it.”
