Saudis mauled, sack coach
Source: Agencies |
January 19, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SAUDI Arabia brought Nasser al-Johar's reign as coach to an end after just nine days on Monday, announcing the change after the team's humiliating 0-5 defeat to Japan in the Asian Cup in Doha.
The three-time Asian champion also accepted the resignation of team manager Fahd al-Misaibeeh after the team's failure to qualify for the quarterfinals in Qatar, the official Saudi Press Agency SPA said.
The Saudi soccer federation vowed to "immediately replace them with a highly qualified international crew and domestic aides".
Johar only took over last Sunday after Saudi Arabia sacked Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro following a 1-2 defeat in the opening match against Syria.
Jordan joined the Blue Samurai in the last eight as it came from behind to beat Syria 2-1 in a closely fought Group B clash.
The results left Japan top of the group with seven points from three matches, ahead of Jordan on goal difference, with Syria third on three and Saudi Arabia last on none.
Japan will play hosts Qatar in the quarterfinals on Friday with Jordan facing Uzbekistan.
The dismal result was the heaviest the Saudis had suffered to Japan.
The Saudis have been champions three times, in 1984, 1988 and 1996 and were runners-up to Iraq in 2007.
Although they could not qualify for the last eight, Al Johar had called for an improved display but his side fell behind after just eight minutes as Shinji Okazaki claimed his first of his three goals after good work from Yasuhito Endo.
The 24-year-old Shimizu S-Pulse forward then doubled the lead five minutes later with a diving header after a cross from Shinji Kagawa. Ryoichi Maeda capped a terrible first 20 minutes for the Saudis when he beat keeper Waleed Abdullah to Yuto Nagatomo's cross.
The third goal brought about some respite for the Saudi defense as Japan eased off but after coach Alberto Zaccheroni's halftime team talk the Blue Samurai regained their composure to score twice more.
Maeda added his second with a header in the 51st minute before Okazaki wrapped up his hat-trick ten minutes before the end after Abdullah failed to keep out his shot.
At the Qatar Sports Club, Jordan needed just a point to make the last eight for only the second time but it fell behind to a 15th minutes goal from Mohamad Al Zino.
The striker rifled home from six yards after Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi could only parry Sanharib Malki's low drive. Jordan came back into the game and was handed an equalizer after 30 minutes when Syrian defender Ali Dyab rose above his on-rushing goalkeeper to loft a header in to his own net. Dyab was also at fault for Jordan's second goal as he failed to deal with a long punt from goalkeeper Shafi allowing Odai Al Saify to steal in and lift an effort over the on-rushing Mosab Balhous in the 59th minute.
The three-time Asian champion also accepted the resignation of team manager Fahd al-Misaibeeh after the team's failure to qualify for the quarterfinals in Qatar, the official Saudi Press Agency SPA said.
The Saudi soccer federation vowed to "immediately replace them with a highly qualified international crew and domestic aides".
Johar only took over last Sunday after Saudi Arabia sacked Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro following a 1-2 defeat in the opening match against Syria.
Jordan joined the Blue Samurai in the last eight as it came from behind to beat Syria 2-1 in a closely fought Group B clash.
The results left Japan top of the group with seven points from three matches, ahead of Jordan on goal difference, with Syria third on three and Saudi Arabia last on none.
Japan will play hosts Qatar in the quarterfinals on Friday with Jordan facing Uzbekistan.
The dismal result was the heaviest the Saudis had suffered to Japan.
The Saudis have been champions three times, in 1984, 1988 and 1996 and were runners-up to Iraq in 2007.
Although they could not qualify for the last eight, Al Johar had called for an improved display but his side fell behind after just eight minutes as Shinji Okazaki claimed his first of his three goals after good work from Yasuhito Endo.
The 24-year-old Shimizu S-Pulse forward then doubled the lead five minutes later with a diving header after a cross from Shinji Kagawa. Ryoichi Maeda capped a terrible first 20 minutes for the Saudis when he beat keeper Waleed Abdullah to Yuto Nagatomo's cross.
The third goal brought about some respite for the Saudi defense as Japan eased off but after coach Alberto Zaccheroni's halftime team talk the Blue Samurai regained their composure to score twice more.
Maeda added his second with a header in the 51st minute before Okazaki wrapped up his hat-trick ten minutes before the end after Abdullah failed to keep out his shot.
At the Qatar Sports Club, Jordan needed just a point to make the last eight for only the second time but it fell behind to a 15th minutes goal from Mohamad Al Zino.
The striker rifled home from six yards after Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi could only parry Sanharib Malki's low drive. Jordan came back into the game and was handed an equalizer after 30 minutes when Syrian defender Ali Dyab rose above his on-rushing goalkeeper to loft a header in to his own net. Dyab was also at fault for Jordan's second goal as he failed to deal with a long punt from goalkeeper Shafi allowing Odai Al Saify to steal in and lift an effort over the on-rushing Mosab Balhous in the 59th minute.
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