Renard eyes Poland scalp to aid Saudi host hopes
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard has suggested his side’s shock victory over Argentina this week could help the Middle Eastern nation's bid to jointly host the 2030 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia face Poland today, knowing another threepointswouldputthem intothelast16ofthisedition against the odds, after their stunning2-1winoverlionel Messi’s side on Tuesday.
Withsaudiarabiaexpected to bid for the 2030 World Cup in a joint effort alongside Egypt and Greece, Renard suggested the result showed the country’s growthasasportingpower.
“I think all the Saudi people were very proud of this victory,” he said. “They are hoping and expecting to host a lot of good sporting events. You have seen there isformula1andboxingand I’m sure there will be more. It is important to add to this win. We need to improve to reduce the gap to the best European teams and ourselves and also to the teams from South America. We need opportunities like this World Cup, it is very important to show our level.”
Frenchman Renard has Polish roots through his maternalgrandparents,but willputthattoonesideashe seeks another upset.
"My grandparents were frompoland,buttomorrow Iwillbefromsaudiarabia,” he said yesterday. “At the moment we are concentrating with the same idea. Nothing has changed. We are still the lowest team in this group in terms of FIFA ranking and experience. Nothing has changed.”
Striker Saleh Alshehri dismissed reports the players had been gifted Rollsroyce cars after their shock win, and said the support of fans at home was the only reward they needed.