Herve Renard Sets Saudi Arabia's Goal: Gulf Cup Victory
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard declares his team’s sole objective in the Gulf Cup is to secure the championship, emphasizing their strength despite World Cup qualification struggles.
Herve Renard, the head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team, has set high expectations for the upcoming Gulf Cup. Despite a challenging World Cup qualification campaign, Renard insists that Saudi Arabia is competing solely to win the tournament.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Saudi Arabia's first game against Bahrain, Renard expressed satisfaction with his team's preparations. "This tournament offers an excellent opportunity for our players to gain better coordination. Despite being outside the FIFA international calendar, I’m pleased to have all our players from the domestic league available," he said.
Renard dismissed the notion that Saudi Arabia's participation in the Gulf Cup is purely for experience. "Our goal is clear: to win the championship and showcase Saudi Arabia’s power in Asia," he declared.
The coach also provided updates on key players, including Salem Al-Dawsari, who has been recovering from injury. "Salem is improving physically and has shown great enthusiasm to join the team. I’m glad he’s here rather than waiting at home," Renard said. He further added that Hassan Al-Tambakti is ready to play, while Firas Al-Buraikan is nearing full fitness, with a final decision pending.
Saudi Arabia's opening game in the Gulf Cup is set against Bahrain, and the team is determined to start their campaign with a strong performance.