JEDDAH: Indonesia manager Patrick Kluivert is confident his team can put aside the disappointment of their previous result against Saudi Arabia and show the ability to achieve victory against Iraq on Saturday in the Asian play-off for the 2026 World Cup.
Kluivert told the press on Friday at the press conference ahead of the Iraq match that his team is fully prepared for their match against Iraq.
He said: “We will take the field again tomorrow, aiming for a positive result after our previous defeat.
“The team has prepared a strategy we believe is best against Iraq, which you’ll see on the pitch tomorrow,” he added.
Indonesia are attempting to reach the World Cup for the first time and Iraq’s match on Saturday will determine their fate after a loss to Saudi Arabia.
From his side, Iraq coach Graham Arnold emphasizes the importance of focusing on their upcoming match against Indonesia, avoiding any distractions to their game against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
“The players need to focus on what they have, and if they think about the refereeing, their focus on the match will be greatly reduced,” he said.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Arnold added: “The players are 100 percent fit. The positive thing is that all of our players are playing regularly. When I compare that to before I took over as national team coach, there was a big difference in fitness, and now this aspect has improved significantly.”
Iraq will play its first match in Group B of the play-offs, which also includes Saudi Arabia, who sit on the top of the standings with three points, following their 3-2 victory over Indonesia on Wednesday in the opening round of the playoffs.
Kluivert confident Indonesia can achieve victory against Iraq in Asian qualifier
https://arab.news/8v955
Kluivert confident Indonesia can achieve victory against Iraq in Asian qualifier
- ‘I am confident in my players,’ Indonesia manager tells press conference on Friday
- Iraq coach Graham Arnold says ‘players need to focus on what they have’
Saudis need extra time to end Palestine’s dream Arab Cup run and claim semi-final spot
- The Green Falcons dominated the first half but the breakthrough came early in the second when Salem Al-Dawsari drew a foul in the box and Feras Al-Buraikan converted the penalty
- Palestine responded immediately to level the score, but with just 5 minutes of extra time remaining Mohammed Kanno sealed the victory for Saudi Arabia
DOHA: Saudi Arabia halted Palestine’s impressive Arab Cup run at the quarter-final stage with a hard-fought, 2-1, extra-time victory in a tense match on Thursday.
Herve Renard’s side dominated for long spells during the first half in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, as they probed patiently against a disciplined Palestinian defense that had kept two clean sheets in their three matches during the group stage.
The closest the Green Falcons came before the break was late in the opening period when a deep cross created space for Feras Al-Buraikan, only for Hamed Hamdan to make a crucial, last-ditch clearance.
Saudi Arabia eventually broke through early in the second half through their talisman, Salem Al-Dawsari, whose sharp first touch drew a foul from Mohammed Saleh inside the area. Al-Buraikan converted the resultant penalty with confidence to give the Saudis a deserved lead.
Palestine responded immediately, however; Oday Dabbagh controlled a cross from Hassan Altambakti with a superb first touch before finishing clinically to level the match and reignite hopes of a historic semi-final berth.
Saudi Arabia thought they had a chance to retake the lead late on when they were awarded another penalty, but the video assistant referee overturned the decision. And so, with the teams locked at 1-1, the match moved into extra time.
With five minutes remaining, and a penalty shoot-out looming, Mohammed Kanno delivered the decisive blow as he rose to head home a pinpoint cross from Al-Dawsari, sending the Green Falcons into the last four and bringing an admirable Palestinian campaign to an end.
