Asian Cup, first major hurdle for Roberto Mancini
The Saudis have not won the Asian Cup since back in 1996
On the day of his presentation as Saudi Arabia's new coach, Mancini said how his goal was to try to win the Asian Cup (Saudi Arabia hasn't won it since back in 1996). At the end of the group stage, his Saudi Arabia è passed as first in Group F but without enthusing much, in fact even receiving criticism at home.
Now for Mancini comes the hard part. In the match qualifying for the round of 16, scheduled for Jan. 30, Saudi Arabia will face the hostile South Korea of star Tottenham striker Son. The former national team coach knows full well that going out in the round of 16 would be disastrous for his position as Saudi Arabia coach.
One piece of good news, however, there'è. Japan, billed as the number one favorite in the competition, è finished second in Group D (behind Iraq) and, as a result, è at the bottom of the table while Saudi Arabia is at the top. One less thought for Mancini, who, at the moment, has to think about how to get rid of South Korea, the first major obstacle towards the final next Feb. 10 at Lusail Stadium (Qatar).
