Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jeddah: Recently appointed Saudi Arabia coach Bert van Marwijk has emphatically outlined his mission for the three-time AFC Asian Cup winners, with the straight-talking Dutchman keen to avoid any distractions as he looks to qualify the Kingdom to the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time since Germany 2006.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifier, the former Hamburger SV head coach said:
"I am very happy to lead the Saudi national team, and help them to reach the position they deserve but we have a lot of work to do in such short time.
"My goal is to reach 2018 World Cup in Russia and this is the last time I will talk about the goal as I want to focus on this mission.”
First up on Van Marwijk’s agenda is the meeting with a Timor-Leste side that began their campaign with a highly creditable 1-1 draw in Malaysia, before the Saudis take on 2015 AFC Asian Cup semi-finalists the UAE five days later.
“Getting through the second round of qualifiers will be hard and not as everyone expects because there are strong teams in our group,” added the 63-year-old, who led his native Netherlands to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where the Oranje lost 1-0 to Spain in extra-time (pictured).
Echoing the coaches sentiments was goalkeeper Khalid Sharahili, who conceded twice as the Saudis kicked-off their Group A campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Palestine in their last competitive fixture under caretaker coach Faisal Al Badain.
“We are ready to face Timor Leste and everyone will fight to defend the honour of the national team and work hard to get the three points,” said Sharahili, who plays his club football with 2015 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Al Hilal.
“We know how hard the match against Timor Leste will be,” he continued. “They have good players and while they will not be an easy opponent we will do our best to make our fans happy.”
Photo: AFP