Soccer-Saudi Arabia's failure to create chances sealed fate, coach says


Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia - Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, U.S. - June 26, 2026 Saudi Arabia's Ali Lajami looks dejected after the match as Saudi Arabia are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Phil Noble

HOUSTON, June 26 (Reuters) - ⁠Saudi Arabia's inability to hold the ⁠ball and create attacking chances doomed the ‌team in a goalless draw with Cape Verde at Houston Stadium on Friday in their final World Cup ​Group H match, coach Georgios ⁠Donis said.

• "We were very ⁠poor in creating actions. One cannot win a ⁠game ‌this way," he said.

• He added that Saudi Arabia had problems putting ⁠pressure on Cape Verde's backline aside from ​a short ‌period of time in the second half.

• "Our ⁠line ​of attack was not doing well. Our greatest problem today was creation and this was self ⁠evident."

• Donis praised his players, ​saying the World Cup journey was a good experience but he would need to reassess the ⁠performance down the road.

• "It was not what we wanted because when playing in such a match against a team more or less ​the same level of us ⁠our level was not good. This gives cause ​for concern," he said.

• "The ‌journey was good and I ​would like to thank the players."

(Reporting by Michael Kahn, Editing by Toby Davis)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read