In decisive statements reflecting the realities of professional football, French coach Hervé Renard, the technical director of the Saudi national team, placed his future with the "Green Falcons" in the hands of the officials, while emphasizing the need to focus entirely on finishing the 2025 Arab Cup in the best possible way by winning the third-place match against the UAE national team.
Historical background and context of the tournament
Renard's comments come in the wake of a surprising loss to Jordan in the semi-finals, a result that disappointed Saudi fans who had hoped for a place in the final. Renard, who led the Saudi national team to World Cup qualification, is tasked with building a competitive squad capable of making a respectable showing on the world stage. Since taking charge in 2019, the French coach has achieved remarkable stability, drawing on his extensive experience in international football, particularly his successful stint in Africa, which culminated in winning the Africa Cup of Nations with two different national teams (Zambia and Ivory Coast).
Analyzing the loss and focusing on the future
During the press conference, Renard defended his players' performance, explaining that the statistics favored the Saudi national team. He said, "We entered the match against Jordan after strong preparation, and we controlled the flow of the game and possessed the ball, but the real problem was the lack of attacking efficiency and converting this superiority into goals. After Jordan's goal, we faced a difficult situation with fewer players, and despite that, we had two clear scoring opportunities, but luck wasn't on our side." He added, "The problem lies in evaluating matches from a single perspective; if we lose, it's said that the performance was poor, and if we win, it's considered good. We played a strong match against Morocco despite the loss, and in the Jordan match, it will be said that we defended too much, but the numbers prove otherwise.".
The importance of confronting the UAE and its regional influence
The third-place match takes on special significance as it pits two major Gulf teams against each other, giving it a derby feel that transcends mere competition for an honorable position. A victory in this match would not only boost the players' morale after their semifinal exit but would also provide a positive indication of the team's strength as they enter the final stages of their World Cup preparations. Renard noted that the semifinal exit only increases the challenge, adding, "What's required now is complete professionalism, putting the past behind us, and preparing thoroughly to achieve victory in the upcoming match.".
Preparing for the World Cup and the upcoming challenges
Renard didn't lose sight of the ultimate goal, the World Cup, saying: “Naturally, the competition will be completely different, and we will face a tough challenge against Spain, a team known for its ball possession.” He emphasized that tournaments like the Arab Cup are a vital preparatory stage for testing players and implementing tactical plans. He concluded by addressing the players: “The players must demonstrate greater effectiveness in domestic competitions, especially with the winter transfer window approaching. The World Cup is a tournament of immense importance, and the players must raise their level of competitiveness to present a positive image of the Saudi national team and the Kingdom on the world stage.”.
Regarding his future, Renard was clear: “I am doing my job and I respect my current mission, and the question of whether to continue or leave is not in my hands. If the officials decide to end my mission, I will leave without controversy, as this is the nature of football.”.
