After the party, Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard now plotting for real success at Qatar 2022

JEDDAH: “Great atmosphere, full house and people everywhere proud of their nation.” No one could have summed up Tuesday night at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium as well as Australia head coach Graham Arnold did following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the final day of the Asian Qualifiers. Indeed, more than 50,000 people partied into the early hours of the morning, singing along with Rabeh Saqr, Dalia Mubarak and Ayedh who performed songs for the Kingdom, for the national team and for the people as the Green Falcons squad danced their hearts off on the pitch, accompanied by their charismatic coach Herve Renard.

Fast forward 48 hours, the dust has settled, the party atmosphere in the streets of Jeddah has calmed and life is returning to normal as the players turn their attention to the small matters of the King’s Cup semifinals and the AFC Champions League, while those with no involvement in the two competitions prepare for a rare break as we approach the holy month of Ramadan and the Saudi Pro League pauses for a few weeks. One man who will not be taking a break, however, is Renard.

The 58-year-old sealed his place in the Saudi Arabian football records, becoming the foreign manager with most wins for the Green Falcons; the victory against the Socceroos his 18th with the team, one more than the previous record holder Gerard van der Lem. The Frenchman revealed he will only be taking one day off before regrouping with the work group from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to chart the path to success in Qatar 2022 after finding out their group opponents in Friday’s draw.