LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s quest to win the Gulf Cup for the first time since 2004 ended at the semifinal stage on Tuesday as they lost 2-1 to Oman. Here are five things we learned from the eight-team tournament.
Disappointing exit dampens New Year cheer
Booking a place in the final would have been a perfect way to end the year but it was not to be. Herve Renard returned in October to take over from Roberto Mancini after the Italian’s troubled 18 months in charge.
There is still a slight air of gloom around the Green Falcons. World Cup qualification is going badly and the Gulf Cup was a chance for the Frenchman to get to grips with the task in 2025.
With the Saudi Pro League taking a break, he took his best team to Kuwait. Apart from a second-half spell against Iraq that brought a 3-1 win, there was not much to write home about.
The opening game loss to Bahrain was deserved; it took an injury-time goal to beat Yemen; and then came the loss to an Oman team that played two-thirds of the game with 10 men.
That defeat was hugely disappointing. There was a lack of creativity going forward and issues at the back to ensure that 2024, an underwhelming year for the national team, ended without a bang. It could have been worse but it could have been a lot better.
Renard still to rediscover his mojo
They say in football that you should never go back. While Renard’s return was largely hailed, there were some who pointed out that after the famous World Cup win against Argentina in Qatar, the team’s results until he left in March 2023 had not been great.
What is known as the “new coach bounce” that often results from a change at the helm has not materialized — and perhaps it does not apply anyway when a manager returns after just 18 months away.
There did not seem to be much in-game management from Renard or ability to make a change that would make a difference. In his first spell Renard was clearly able to get the best out of his players but that has yet to be seen this time around.
He has not been back in the hot seat for very long, but there needs to be improvements, and quickly.
Al-Hamdan and Al-Bulaihi among the positives and negatives
One thing that can be said is that at least Saudi Arabia rediscovered where the net was. With just three goals in six World Cup qualifiers from September to November and none from the strikers, concerns were growing. In four games, the team managed nine goals. What will be more encouraging for Renard is that forwards got on the score sheet.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan has not been getting much playing time for Al-Hilal but impressed and netted three times, showing some fine striking instincts along the way, and obviously had a point to prove in coming off the bench against Iraq to score twice.
At the back however, Renard will be concerned about another Al-Hilal player. Ali Al-Bulaihi has been a mainstay for Saudi Arabia for years but was out of sorts and made mistakes, especially against Oman, that proved to be costly.
It could be asked if he should have been benched for the semifinal. The center-back has shone for his club against some of the biggest attacking names in world football so Renard will be hoping that his form is just a blip.
Injuries played a part
Injuries are part and parcel of the beautiful game but Saudi Arabia had more than their fair share in Kuwait, meaning that bad luck hampered attempts to take the trophy back to Riyadh.
Renard had to deal with injuries to, among others, Saleh Al-Shehri, Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Abdulelah Al-Malki.
Such absences can hit hard and also meant that, at times, there were players operating out of position. And then star player Salem Al-Dawsari was recovering from an injury in the build up to the tournament. Yet, these should not be used as excuses too much, as there should be enough talent in the country to overcome Bahrain and Oman.
The ultimate result will be seen later in the year
While a first trophy for over two decades would have been welcome, the real focus is on the resumption of World Cup qualification in March. These were four competitive games for Renard to get his teeth into, as well as the training sessions and preparation that the tournament gave.
World Cup qualification rivals China and Australia would have loved to have had the same opportunities to stay sharp. Indonesia have been playing in Southeast Asia’s regional tournament but most of their strongest players were unable to appear.
It means that, apart from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia have had a great opportunity to get some real games under their belt.
The results were mixed and the performances were mostly disappointing. But the prize that everyone wants is a place at the 2026 World Cup and if the Gulf Cup helps the team get to North America then it will have been a worthwhile 10 days in Kuwait.
