Saudi Gazette report

DOHA — Head coach Roberto Mancini, guiding Saudi Arabia in his first major tournament since his appointment in September 2023, shared insights on the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 clash between Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic.

Saudi Arabia, following a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Oman, stands on the brink of round of 16 qualifications in Group F.

Mancini, aware of the challenges, referenced Iraq's unexpected 2-1 win against Japan as a lesson in the unpredictability of football.

Mancini praised the Kyrgyz Republic team, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and adapting to the dynamics of each match.

He reflected on his experience in football, stressing that every game presents its own difficulties.

Under Mancini's leadership, Saudi Arabia has adopted a three-man defense, yielding positive results with victories over Pakistan and Jordan in the Joint Qualifiers and a successful start in the AFC Asian Cup with a win against Oman.

Mancini highlighted the team's defensive strength and flexibility, as well as the positive atmosphere within the camp. He specifically praised Salem Al Dawsari's versatility and Abdulrahman Ghareeb's impactful performance.

Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz Republic, despite a 2-0 loss to Thailand in their opening match, remains hopeful.

The team had a similar start in the UAE 2019 AFC Asian Cup but managed to progress to the round of 16 in their debut at the tournament.