Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro is determined three-time AFC Asian Cup champions Saudi Arabia will give everything to restore their reputation as a team to be feared when the AFC Asian Cup 2015 Australia kicks off in January.
After Saudi Arabia were unceremoniously dumped out of the 2011 edition in Qatar without picking up a point, Lopez Caro (pictured) has done much to renew belief within the Green Falcons' camp after the Spaniard guided the side on an unbeaten path through the qualifiers for Australia.
However, the former Real Madrid boss is well aware that there is much work to do for the West Asian powerhouse should they wish to reclaim their former glory despite storming through qualifying with the joint-highest points total en route to their ninth AFC Asian Cup appearance.
"Our success in the qualifiers will have no bearing on our performance in the finals, the truth is although we did well, we have to lift our level to new heights and have to work a lot harder should we want to be competitive in Australia," said Lopez Caro, who took over from Frank Rijkaard in January 2013 following a year as technical advisor.
"I'm under no illusions about the difficulty of the tournament that lies ahead with teams like Japan, China, Korea Republic and Australia from the East, and also other teams like Iran from the West – any of these teams can and should compete for the title.
"To help us lift our own level of competiveness to challenge these teams for the title, we intend to take full advantage of all the FIFA days remaining to us and face other sides of a high level, because these are the sort of sides we will face in Australia."
After defeats to Moldova and Georgia in May, Saudi Arabia were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Australia in London last month and are next due to face South Americans Uruguay before fixtures with Lebanon and fellow AFC Asian Cup qualifiers Palestine.
And in November, Riyadh will be the setting of the 22nd Gulf Cup of Nations with seven of the eight sides taking part also set to appear at the AFC Asian Cup in Australia.
Lopez Caro will look to use these fixtures to not only test his players' capabilities but also give opportunities to the next generation of players, particularly after the success of the Saudi Arabia development side which reached the final of the AFC U-22 Championship in January, with the Spaniard a keen observer in the stands.
"There were a lot of youngsters that put on good performances, but without doubt the key thing is whether than can continue to grow and improve. They have to raise their levels physically, technically and competitively," said Lopez Caro.
"If they can earn the trust and confidence of their clubs and become first team players then it's obvious they will have a good chance to become important players.
"We won't close the door on any player and everyone has a chance to make the squad. I don't like to talk about individuals, for me, it's all about creating a sense of the collective amongst the team.
"We are all working together on this which, right now, is an exciting project where we will have to work so hard to achieve our goals but I'm very excited in the potential that we have for the AFC Asian Cup."
Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group B alongside Uzbekistan, China and DPR Korea, with Lopez Caro's side beginning their campaign against China in Brisbane on January 10.
Photo: AFP