The National - News

Pizzi backs Bahbri to get even better for Saudis

- PAUL RADLEY

Juan Antonio Pizzi, the Saudi Arabia manager, believes Hatan Bahbri can still improve, despite his sparkling start to the Asian Cup.

The Green Falcons advanced to the knockout stage of the competitio­n with a game to spare, after adding a 2-0 win over Lebanon on Saturday night to their opening match thrashing of North Korea.

Al Shabab winger Bahbri again caught the eye, just as he had done when scoring in the 4-0 win over the North Koreans.

The Saudis finally quelled the resistance of a dogged Lebanon side when Hussain Al Moqahwi scored the second, which was brought about by some fine wing play from Bahbri.

The 26-year-old missed Saudi’s first training camps due to injury but Pizzi has been delighted with Bahbri’s focus since his return.

The Argentine manager said: “He showed full dedication, concentrat­ion and a big effort. He is a good player, the sort of player you like to have in your team because of his quality.

“I hope he will not relax, but to push on to raise his level, and get better and better. He has a chance to play to an even better level.”

Pizzi’s team will likely play either Japan or Iraq in the next round, dependent on the result in their final pool match against Qatar. The manager says they are only thinking about victory next time out.

“We won’t ever worry about what others are doing,” Pizzi said. “We are concentrat­ing on our job against Qatar, not on whether it will be Japan or Iraq in the next round.”

Miodrag Radulovic, the Lebanon manager, believes his side can still progress, despite no wins and no goals in their opening two matches.

The Montenegri­n, who also believes Saudi Arabia could win the competitio­n, is hopeful a win over North Korea in their last Group F game could see them through as a lucky third-placed side.

“Saudi Arabia can go minimum to the semi-finals,” Radulovic said. “For my team now, it is important to have good rest and recovery. Three points in the next game should be enough to make the next round.

“My players are not used to playing after three days at such a level and they are very tired. We made a good performanc­e [against Saudi] and I am not disappoint­ed with this. If we need to lose, we need to lose like this.”

 ??  ?? Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side are through to the next stage
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side are through to the next stage

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates