Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Muscat: Coach Khalid Al Koroni insisted his injury-hit Saudi Arabia side would overcome their absentees and take home the title ahead of the AFC U-22 Championship final against Iraq at Seeb Sports Complex on Sunday.
Defender Ahmed Sharahili, midfielder Mohamed Kanno and forward Abdulrahman Al Ghamdi all missed out on Thursday’s 3-1 semi-final victory over Jordan, and they were joined on the sick list inside 10 minutes of that game when striker Ibrahim Al Ibrahim suffered a heavy challenge that saw him limp off the field.
All four, along with first-choice goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais who returned to Saudi Arabia following an injury sustained in the quarter-final, have been ruled out of the tournament finale.
And Saudi Arabia will now face an Iraq team who boast a 100% record in the competition which includes a 3-1 victory over Al Koroni’s side in their group stage opener.
“This Saudi team has gone through difficult times before and during this tournament, but we are still in the final with a chance to win the championship – and that’s all credit to the determination of these players and the sacrifices they, and the coaches, have made,” said Al Koroni.
“Although none of our injured players will return in time, there’s nothing I can do about that. But we will not let this affect us too much and I know my players will still do their best to win.
“Both Iraq and Saudi Arabia have faced difficult teams in this tournament to get to this stage, and I know Iraq is very organized and have excellent players in good physical condition. We may have lost the last time we played them in the group stages, but we’ll win this one.”
Midfielder Zakaria Al Sudani will return for Saudi Arabia following his one-match suspension that saw him sit out the semi-final. Ahmad Al Harbi is to continue to deputise for Al Owais in goal and Al Koroni also confirmed that captain Motaz Hawsawi will again lead out the team.
Hawsawi was at fault for the penalty conceded by Saudi Arabia in their semi-final, having first lost possession to dangerous Jordan forward Hamza Al Daradreh, and then hauling him down inside the penalty box. Fortunately for the Saudi skipper, Al Daradreh saw his penalty saved by Al Harbi, and his coach is sticking by him.
“You cannot punish people every time they make a mistake on the pitch, otherwise you’d run out of players. So, yes, Motaz will be captain again as he’s an important member of the team and key to our chances to lift the title,” added Al Koroni.