Saad Al-Shehri: I do not blame the players.. The absence of a suitable ground made it difficult for us

After the end of the Iraq-Saudi Arabia match in the second round of the first group, which was hosted by the Basra International Stadium at 7:15 this evening and ended with Iraq winning 2/0, a press conference was held for the coach of the Saudi national team, Saad Al-Shehri, who commented on the meeting, saying: “I congratulate Iraq for the victory. The match was approved.” On the physical side, and this is not our style, the situation was difficult, and the absence of a suitable ground made it difficult for us. It suited the Iraqi team’s high physical strength. We still have hope for Oman.

And by inquiring about the injuries, I said: “We await the doctor’s report tomorrow, and I think we will not lose anyone.”

And about the unsatisfactory level of the team: We hoped to play one match like Iraq, whose physical structure makes it difficult for us, but if the ground had been good, we would have played a good, skillful match.
We tried to take possession, and I have players born in 2001. If the match was better played technically and skillfully, the match would have taken another turn.

And about the lack of effect of the four substitutions: I expected it to increase the physical stamina and deliver the ball behind the defenders, but I was sure that we would only return from a fixed ball; the physical factor was the difference in the match.

We prepared well and waited for the audience’s interaction; most of them won the Asian Cup in the midst of such an audience, and if our first team that beat Argentina today participated, it would not win, because the ball is completely different.

And about the impact of the loss: I do not blame the players because of the pitch. If the pitch was good, I could have blamed them. It was not a football match; it was a beach match, a match that ended, and we look forward to the next match.

And about the chance to qualify: We have to win, the Omani team is good, I think the fans today did not enjoy the match only because of the goals, and I hope the pitch is suitable.

The Saudi player needs a good ground to perform. The physical structure was not available to change the style of play. It is possible that I lose against Oman because of this rain, and if I lose on good ground, I will ask about the loss.