Resurgent Saudis eye automatic qualification
Reuters - Friday 03 April 2009, 09:19
RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's new coach is
confident of securing automatic qualification for the 2010
World Cup finals after instigating a stunning turnaround after
only two games in charge.
Portuguese Jose Peseiro, who took over five weeks ago with
the Saudis staring at early elimination, believes the late
fightbacks in their last two qualifying wins were no fluke and
a top-two finish is a realistic goal.
The Saudis are currently level in Group Two with
second-placed North Korea on 10 points, one behind 2002 World
Cup semi-finalists South Korea, who have played one less game.
"It will be difficult but we aim to win all our games and
if we do that, we will go through automatically," Peseiro told
Reuters by telephone.
"This is football, we have seen that anything can happen,
so why can't we do this?
"We have the ability, the motivation, the confidence and a
little luck too," added Peseiro, who became the Saudi's 20th
coach in the last 15 years.
The Gulf giants came back from a goal down late in
Wednesday's game to beat United Arab Emirates 3-2 and thrust
their way into contention for a place at their fifth-successive
World Cup.
They beat Iran 2-1 on Saturday having trailed 1-0 with only
12 minutes left. The top two qualify for South Africa 2010,
with the third-placed team able to advance via two playoffs.
The former Sporting Lisbon and Panathinaikos boss also said
former Asian player of the year Yasser al-Qahtani, who he
sensationally dropped for Wednesday's game, would have to fight
to get his place back.
"Al-Qahtani is a great player but he didn't show up for
training or answer my phone calls," Peseiro said.
"I cannot accept this from any of my team. We have 26
players and he will have to earn his place."
The Saudis have two matches remaining and are away to South
Korea on June 6 and home to North Korea on June 17.