The new coach of the Saudi Arabian football team, Roberto Mancini, said that his goal is to win the Asian Cup with the team next year.
At the official presentation in Riyadh, Mancini immediately stated his goals:
“Our goal is to try to win the Asian Cup 27 years later (Saudi Arabia won the title in 1996)”
The Italian expert will have his first big challenge from January 12 to February 10 next year, when the Asian Cup is held in Qatar.
“We have four months, four friendly matches. We have two games in the World Cup qualifiers and then we have 20 days to prepare for the Asian Cup. We know there are many good teams like Japan, Australia, South Korea. But I am sure that we will go there and try to win” – said Mancini.
He won the title of European champion with Italy two years ago.
He succeeded Hervé Renard on the bench of Saudi Arabia, who at last year’s World Cup led that Asian selection to victory over Argentina, later world champions.
