DUBAI • Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has praised his players for their commitment to learn and improve, following the 4-0 Asian Cup Group E thrashing of North Korea on Tuesday.
The Saudis, humbled at last year's World Cup in Russia, looked far more at home in neighbouring United Arab Emirates as they tore 10-man North Korea apart.
It was a performance that tagged Saudi Arabia as one of the teams to beat at the continental showpiece along with Iran, who thrashed Yemen 5-0 on Monday.
"I'm very happy personally because normally the first game of a tournament, there are nervous moments," Pizzi told Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper.
"But I'm so happy and, hopefully, we will continue at the same level.
"There's no doubt that the time you spend with a certain team allows you to get confidence, in yourself and your players as well.
"But we notice from all the period we spent with the Saudi national team that our players are willing to learn and are ready to do exactly what we ask as a technical staff from them.
"And they are doing it with very high commitment - even the new, younger players.
"After the loss we suffered in the first game of the 2018 World Cup, the team understood perfectly that they have to do everything, do their maximum, be organised and obey the orders we ask of them to be a better team."
The Green Falcons attacked relentlessly in the opening stages and Hatan Bahbri put them in front in the 28th minute, turning defender Ri Il Jin inside out and firing into the far corner.
They were 2-0 up nine minutes later when Hussain Almoqahwi's free kick glanced off the outstretched boot of Mohammed Al-Fatil and past Ri Myong Guk in the North Korean goal.
North Korea already had a mountain to climb, but their plight worsened just before half-time when Han Kwang Song received his second yellow card for bringing down midfielder Almoqahwi.
Salem Al-Dawsari made it 3-0 with a smart finish on 69 minutes before Fahad Al-Muwallad bagged a soft fourth goal against an exhausted Korean defence three minutes from time.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs developed a research agenda focused on positive youth development. Through a collaborative consensus-building process, representatives from federal agencies identified three research domains (conceptual issues, data sources and indicators, and program implementation and effectiveness) and key
20 - 24 Nov: MyFootballCamp 2017 - HYFA - ALL ABOUT CITY
Find Harrah's hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and more locations around the country. Join the fun, come out and play.
Harrah's Philadelphia Racetrack - Harness Racing
Neymar watches PSG's game against Bordeaux at the Parc des Princes at the start of February. Brazil striker Neymar says he cried for two days after breaking a metatarsal bone in his right foot in
Neymar cried for 2 days after latest injury - Nigerian's News
Mar 30, 2019 · Southampton climbed five points clear of the relegation zone and drew level with Brighton after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's goal gave them a priceless victory. Ralph Hasenhüttl surged on to the
Football. LONDON — Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says he will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Monday's 2-2 draw against Burnley. Hudson-Odoi limped off helped by two members of Chelsea's medical staff after sustaining the injury in the first half of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea to be without Callum Hudson-Odoi for rest of season
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
Tottenham Hotspur gained revenge over north London rivals Arsenal as goals by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned a 2-0 victory on Wednesday to put them into the League Cup semi-finals.
Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis
Dejected James Milner knows Reds will rue missed chances at Camp Nou Liverpool's veteran midfielder James Milner knows The Reds now face a massive uphill task to have any chance of reaching this year's Champions League final after losing 3-0 to Barcelona in Spain.
Haunted by missed chances, Reds fall in St. Louis | MLB.com
Man City news and transfers LIVE Pep Guardiola gives injury news ahead of Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola has provided an injury update on Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Aleks Zinchenko.
Silva and Zinchenko 'better' as Man City head to Crystal Palace
Tottenham's Pochettino comes away empty handed again but not yet for his titles. Pochettino failed to win his first title as a coach on Saturday after Tottenham lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham boss questions side's title
Football: Harry Kane can be difference maker in Champions League final, says ex-Spurs defender Gary Stevens - straitstimes Athletics: Man loses 26kg in 6 months through running, and will take part in the Sundown Marathon 21.1km race
England at the FIFA World Cup - Wikipedia
Football: After goalie Casillas' heart attack, wife Sara says
0 comments:
Post a Comment