Poland’s Wojciech Szczesny saves a penalty from Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al Dawsari.
Doha: Herve Renard called Salem Al Dawsari’s penalty miss a “game changer” as Saudi Arabia slumped to a 2-0 loss against Poland in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Saturday, but vowed his side would fight to achieve their dream of a place in the knockout rounds.
Poland scored through Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski while Al Dawsari saw his penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny late in the first half as the Saudis slipped to a defeat after opening the competition with a 2-1 victory over two-time champions Argentina.
Saudi Arabia’s coach Herve Renard
However, victory over Mexico - beaten 2-0 by Argentina on Saturday - in their final game on Wednesday would still take Saudi Arabia into the Round of 16 for the first time since 1994 and Renard remains bullish about his team’s prospects.
“I’m proud of my players,” said the Frenchman. “We were supposed to manage this game in a better way, especially going back to the dressing room 1-1. It was a game changer so we weren’t efficient in all the game.
“This is the key of the game, to be realistic. We were not realistic, we missed so many opportunities but we are still alive. We will play to the last seconds of our World Cup next time, another time. We won’t give up.”
The Saudis dominated for large periods but went behind six minutes before halftime when Zielinski thumped his shot into the roof of Mohammed Al Owais’ net while Al Dawsari saw his penalty saved just before halftime. Szczesny also kept out Mohammed Al Burayk’s attempt on the rebound to frustrate the Gulf side.
Renard’s team continued to push in the second half but, as they committed more players forward, Poland’s threat increased. Arkadiuz Milik and Lewandowski both hit the woodwork before a slip by Abdulelah Al Malki finally allowed the Barcelona striker to score his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal.
“I don’t think a lot of people were able to think Saudi Arabia were able to play this kind of football,” said Renard. “This is the reason I’m proud of them. When you are a coach you are happy with your players when they are winning the first game, so you have to accept the mistake of losing the second game. But we are still alive.
“We didn’t lose because we were unlucky, we lost because we were not efficient. Al Malki made a mistake for the second goal but I have to support all the players. This is how I am managing all my teams.”
“It’s too easy to find someone guilty because he made a mistake. You make the first XI, you are building your team but there is some part during the game you must be more efficient than what we did.
“I know for most of you the most important is the result, because this is football. But we are still alive. We will play the third game with the same energy.”
Once again the Saudis were roared on by a vociferous majority within the Education City Stadium crowd and Renard called on the supporters to back his team with the same enthusiasm when they take on the Mexicans.
“What we need for the third game is the same fans, so I hope they won’t give up,” he said. “When you’re a fan you need to support your team when it’s a fantastic day, but you have to support you team to make history in the third game.
“I would like to see one more time a green stadium. I want to see them support the players. They deserve it. We have to be proud of them.”
