Saudi coach urges players to see ‘incredible job’ through with World Cup qualification against China

RIYADH: “Now is not the time to throw away all your hard work and take your eye off the ball.”

That was the message from Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard to his players ahead of Thursday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against China. After collecting an impressive 19 points from the first eight games of Group B, three more in Sharjah will be enough.

The Green Falcons have been in control of Group B since day one and with just two games remaining, sit one point above Japan and four ahead of Australia, who visit Jeddah next Tuesday. Only the top two go to Qatar and Saudi Arabia are so close.

They are strong favorites to defeat fifth-placed China, but Renard is very much on his guard against even the slightest hint of complacency.

Speaking ahead of the game, the Frenchman said: “We are in an excellent position in the group. The players have done an incredible job, and everything is now in our own hands.

“Yes, the most important thing is to get one of the two direct tickets to the World Cup, but I want us to finish first because we have been topping the group for a long time.

“We prepare for this game like we do for every game. I have full confidence in my players. I am sure the players will deliver and bring home the World Cup ticket.”

China have won just one game so far, against bottom team Vietnam, and are out of the running. The 2023 Asian Cup hosts are now focusing on that tournament. Star player and top scorer Wu Lei has been left at Espanyol to focus on his club career. Li Lei of Grasshoppers Zurich has picked up an injury and captain Wu Xi is suspended. The four Brazilians who had been naturalized – Elkeson, Alan Carvalho, Aloisio, and Fernandinho – are all in Brazil.

In contrast to Saudi Arabia who are trying