Day Six matches taking place on Saturday, December 28, 2024:
- Bahrain v Yemen
- Iraq v Saudi Arabia
Iraq Boss Under Pressure Ahead of Winner-Takes-All Saudi Clash
Iraq head coach Jesus Casas accepts that there will be questions about his future if the reigning champions fail to reach the last four of the Khaleeji Zain 26 in Kuwait on Saturday night.
Pressure has mounted on the misfiring Iraq side following a 2-0 defeat to Bahrain in the second Group B encounter on Christmas Day, and next up is Saudi Arabia, who have themselves been below par in their opening two matches.
When asked about his future, should they not qualify, at the eve-of-match press conference, he responded: “The answer is not mine, it is the decision of the head of the Football Association.
“Before I came to Iraq, I was warned about the pressure that is put on the coaches who are under attack and criticised all the time. I always try to win and make the fans happy. But even when I win, I am criticised.
“The defeat against Bahrain was only my third defeat in two years, after South Korea and Jordan, so this is a very good record for me.”
Casas said the winner-takes-all tie with Saudi Arabia will be a classic with both teams on three points and looking to go through with the already-qualified Bahrain. And he hopes his star-studded front line will also start firing.
“Since the first day, I have mentioned that it is a very tough and strong tournament,” said Casas. “As you have seen, anyone can win it. In the other group, all four teams can still qualify. From my point of view, Bahrain have been the best team in my group and they have already qualified. But Saudi are strong and I have technical staff observing their team to be ready.
“I admit that there are some problems with our offensive line but we have to overcome these issues in the next match.”
While Iraq face Saudi Arabia in the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on Saturday evening, Yemen will face unbeaten Bahrain at the Jaber Al-Mubarak International Stadium.
“I Am Sure Fans Are Not Satisfied,” Admits Saudi Coach Ahead of Crucial Iraq Tie
Hervé Renard believes his stuttering Saudi Arabia side can win back the confidence of the fans ahead of their final Khaleeji Zain 26 Group B match against Iraq in Kuwait on Saturday night.
Renard returned to the post two months ago, and after an opening defeat to Bahrain and an unconvincing 3-2 win over minnows Yemen, when they came back from 2-0 down, doubts have been cast over the team’s ability to advance.
But a draw will be enough to reach the last four with already-qualified Bahrain, and the coach believes he has seen enough progress already in his team to feel confident.
“I am sure that the fans are not satisfied,” he admitted at the eve-of-match press conference. “We started our challenge together just two months ago. I came back because the atmosphere around the team is very good to work in.
“We have a fantastic President of the federation, always supporting the team. We want to do our best for him and the fans because they deserve to have a better team than what we are showing at the moment. Not everything is perfect, but my confidence with the players is very high.
“I am not listening (to the criticism). I am in my bubble, analysing the previous game. I am realistic and trying to improve every day with these players.
“Sometimes in football there is not a big difference between winning and losing. Sometimes you have to be realistic. Don’t make it the worst when we lose and exceptional when we win. There is a balance. I agree we have to do better than what we are at the moment, but we are not far from coming back. Maybe I am too optimistic, but this is my feeling.”
The experienced coach admitted that he may tinker with his starting line-up again for the Iraq match as he tries to find the winning formula, adding that the younger players also needed the experience of international competition.
Saudi Arabia are tied on three points with Iraq, with group leaders Bahrain, on six points, taking on Yemen at the same time.
Rested Bahrain Star Will Have to Wait for 100th Cap
Bahrain will use the luxury of already qualifying for the semi-finals of the Khaleeji Zain 26 in Kuwait to rest star striker Ali Madan and other players for their final Group B match against Yemen.
Madan marked his 99th appearance for his country by scoring two goals as Bahrain beat Iraq, 2-0, taking them top of the group after also beating Saudi Arabia in their first game.
They face a Yemen team who have performed well, but are already eliminated following two narrow defeats, meaning head coach Dragan Talajic can rest some key players, including his chief marksman.
“Tomorrow, you will see some new faces in the team but they are all the time with me,” said Talajic at the eve-of-match press conference. “All of them deserve to play in the first 11 but we don’t have space for 21 players. Everyone is working excellent and a part of the family. I trust every one of them to do their best for the Kingdom.
“Ali Madan has 99 caps and you saw how well he played. What will happen for his 100 caps? You will have to wait because he will not play tomorrow. He will rest.”
Talajic praised his players for their early qualification but was also quick to point out the unsung heroes amidst his ranks.
“Of course, all success is for the players. Also, we have some important people who are part of our family. Our kit men, medical team, my staff… a big ‘mabrouk’ for them all because they are working hard behind us and thank-you and big respect to them all.”
Despite the anticipated changes, the experienced coach said he has been impressed with Yemen and expects a tough match.
“We know Yemen will be a difficult game,” he said. “We will respect them like Saudi Arabia and Iraq. When I say I respect Yemen, it is not just talking. They made problems for Iraq and too many problems for Saudi. This means Yemen is a very strong team. We are happy to qualify already but we come into this game with the focus only to win. We have to make the Bahraini people proud of us. They are travelling here to support us and tomorrow we will play nice football and make them happy.”
Bahrain will face Yemen in the Jaber A-Mubarak International Stadium, with the match between Saudi Arabia and Iraq taking place at the same time in the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium to decide who will join Bahrain in the semi-finals.
Proud Yemen Coach Says They Have Embarrassed the Big Guns
Yemen head coach Noureddine Ould Ali has urged his players to show the same determination displayed in their opening two Khaleeji Zain 26 matches where they came close to shocking both Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
The minnows of Gulf football lost 1-0 to reigning champions Iraq, and surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 late on against Saudi Arabia meaning they exit the tournament before their third and final Group B match against already-qualified Bahrain at the Jaber Al-Mubarak International Stadium on Saturday night.
It leaves Yemen still searching for their first ever Khaleeji Gulf victory, but the head coach believes the gap between his side and the top nations is closing.
“I am insisting my players continue with the same image they have shown against Iraq and Saudi Arabia,” he said at the eve-of-match press conference. “We could have embarrassed these two big teams, but small details have resulted in us losing these matches. Us, as the staff, and the players are determined to continue with this same image against Bahrain.
“Bahrain are a very respectful team with good discipline. We shall play with strong organisation and for sure the result on the match will be decided by the team who is best organised with the best discipline.”
Yemen’s tournament build-up was impacted by the current issues in-country, with a number of players based overseas, but the coach said the fans should be proud, and optimistic.
“Yemen has exceptional circumstances,” he explained. “We are working with the professional players based outside and those based inside Yemen. But we have given great performances that everyone has witnessed. I have accepted this challenge and apologise for not winning, but the image of the national team has changed from the start until now 200%.”
Yemen’s final game against Bahrain will be held at the same time as Saudi Arabia take on Iraq at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
