Soccer-Saudi coach Mancini stays true to his philosophy as he battles selection critics

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Group F - Kyrgyzstan v Saudi Arabia - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - January 21, 2024 Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini reacts REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo

DOHA (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini has come under criticism for his team selection at the Asian Cup but the Italian coach said on Wednesday that his policy is to pick young players so they can gain experience as he tried to build a team.

Saudi Arabia scraped a 2-1 win over Oman in their group opener and qualified for the last 16 after they beat nine-man Kyrgyzstan. They are top of Group F ahead of their last group game against second-placed Thailand (four points).