DistantNews
Support us
Saudi Arabia a work in progress ahead of World Cup clash with Cape Verde
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Saudi Arabia a work in progress ahead of World Cup clash with Cape Verde

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Saudi Arabia's coach Georgios Donis admits the team is a "work in progress" ahead of their World Cup clash with Cape Verde.
  • Donis, who took over late from Herve Renard, has had one month to implement his plans and noted the difficulty of quickly integrating new strategies.
  • Debutants Cape Verde have impressed with their style and resilience, and Donis acknowledges their strength and athleticism.

Saudi Arabia's national football team is still developing under new coach Georgios Donis, who marks one month in charge ahead of their crucial World Cup Group H match against Cape Verde. Donis acknowledged the team remains a "work in progress," highlighting the challenges of implementing his strategies in such a short timeframe after replacing Herve Renard shortly before the tournament.

This last month was the most difficult of my coaching career as I tried to implement plans quickly. I have never had so many meetings.

— Georgios DonisCoach Georgios Donis described the intensity of his first month managing the Saudi Arabian team.

"This last month was the most difficult of my coaching career as I tried to implement plans quickly. I have never had so many meetings," Donis told reporters. He emphasized that building team cohesion and executing his desired style of play takes time, stating, "you cannot go to training and just press a button and have the team play the way the coach wants to play."

Tomorrow is the one-month anniversary (of working with the players). During this time the players have received a lot of information and worked hard in training. We have a good team.

— Georgios DonisCoach Georgios Donis reflected on the team's progress and hard work during his first month.

Despite the team's developmental stage, Saudi Arabia secured a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their opening match, though they suffered a significant 4-0 loss to Spain. A win against Cape Verde on Friday is expected to be sufficient for them to advance in the tournament.

But you cannot go to training and just press a button and have the team play the way the coach wants to play. It takes time.

— Georgios DonisCoach Georgios Donis explained that developing team play requires time and cannot be achieved instantly.

Donis expressed respect for their upcoming opponent, debutants Cape Verde, who have been noted for their entertaining style and "never-say-die attitude." He described them as "one of the surprises of the tournament, they are strong and athletic," particularly impressed by their defensive organization and ability to attack when given space. Saudi Arabia's only previous appearance in the World Cup knockout stage was in 1994.

Cape Verde is one of the surprises of the tournament, they are strong and athletic.

— Georgios DonisCoach Georgios Donis commented on the strengths of the Saudi Arabian team's opponent, Cape Verde.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog