Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the AFC Asian Cup 2015 have been met with a real setback after they parted ways with coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro on Friday.
The former Real Madrid boss had only been appointed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) last January following the departure of Dutchman Frank Rijkaard, but managed to win just ten of the 21 matches he took charge of.
The final straw appears to have been his failure to win last month’s 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations, which Saudi Arabia hosted.
Despite being regarded as genuine contenders to claim a fourth title, the Green Falcons ultimately had to settle for a runners-up finish after being beaten 2-1 by Qatar in the final.
The SAFF confirmed in a statement that Lopez Caro’s contract, as well as those of his assistants, had been terminated, and that a new coach would likely be appointed within a week.
Although the Spaniard may not have lived up to expectations, his sacking is far from ideal for the Saudis given the Asian Cup in Australia is now less than a month away.
Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group B and kick off their campaign in Brisbane against China on January 10, before taking on DPR Korea and Uzbekistan on January 14 and 18 respectively.
With three Asian Cup titles to their name, the Green Falcons are the joint second-most successful team in the competition’s history with Iran, and are behind only four-time winners Japan.
However, they will be looking to end a 19-year wait to be crowned champions of Asia again, with their last triumph coming back in 1996 when they beat United Arab Emirates on penalties following a 0-0 draw at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.