Georgios Donis, the head coach of the Saudi national football team, expressed concern about the injury status of his players in a press conference after the match against Oman in the Gulf Cup. This comes as Saudi Arabia managed to secure a decisive 3-0 victory to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.
Injuries and Upcoming Challenges
Donis pointed out the injury of Alaa Al-Hajji, who left the field in the second half due to injury, announcing that this player will be out for nearly three weeks. He also mentioned the status of Mohammed Al-Qahtani, who is expected to join group training starting Sunday. These issues have raised concerns among the coaching staff, as multiple injuries could affect the team's performance in the upcoming matches.
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In this match, the Saudi national team was able to achieve victory thanks to the good performance in the first half with goals from Feras Al-Breikan and Hassan Kadhim. However, as the second half began, the problems stemming from injuries were clearly visible in the team's performance. Donis urged the players to exercise more caution when dealing with opponents and to pay attention to their health.
The Role of the Media and Support for Players
Donis also referred to media criticism of Abdullah Al-Hamdan, one of the team's players, emphasizing that his duty as head coach is to support the players and provide necessary advice in tactical and mental aspects. He acknowledged that the media might put a lot of pressure on players, which could affect their performance. He urged the media to support the players instead of blaming them.
The head coach of Saudi Arabia also mentioned the policy of rotating players in the team lineup, stating that due to the congested schedule, there is a need for rest and changes in the lineup. He emphasized that a successful national team must have more than 11 ready and capable players to perform well throughout the tournament.
In conclusion, Donis pointed out that it is better to refrain from stating that the Saudi national team is ready for championship, and instead focus on each game individually. He expressed hope that if the team continues to perform as it did in the first half against Oman, it will have a chance at the championship.
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