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The Greek coach was severely criticized after the opening of the World Cup
Saudi Arabian football legend Fahd Al-Harifi has launched a scathing attack on Saudi Arabia coach Giorgos Donis of Greece, believing he failed the real test following their draw with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia’s national team could not hold on to their lead as they drew with their Uruguayan counterpart a goal to one.Tuesday morning in the first round of the group stage of the World Championship at the “Hard Rock” stadium in Miami.
Al-Harifi said in statements For the “Dorina Ghair” program of the “Saudi Arabia” channel“Before the match we were hoping to get a point but then we realized it was possible if we put the pressure on it and I think Donis was put to the real test.”
He added: “Our problem as Saudis is that nothing satisfies us, and that is what keeps us always in the same vortex without benefiting from our past mistakes.”
He explained. “We have reached a stage that should make all teams wary of us, whether it’s the strength of the (Saudi) league, the big names or the international reputation that makes others wary.”
He added: “That was the case in the match, but Denis played like he did in the friendlies where we saw high pressure and the team had courage and character, which was not the case in the official game.”
He continued. “In the official game, we found that the defense was surprisingly lagging, and there were late changes, poor selection and my own form deteriorating due to not making changes early enough to inject new blood into the game.”
He continued. “These reasons made us look bad in the second half, so I’m happy with the result, but as a level it could have been better than it was, because we were playing against the weakest team in the group.”
He concluded. “This is the weakest team in the group, and the upcoming matches will confirm my words, he has not played friendly games, he has many absences and problems in the dressing room, and on the field he seemed to be missing the atmosphere of the games.”
It is noteworthy that the Saudi Arabian team is in the eighth group of the World Cup, together with Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde, and each team now has one point after the end of the first round.
