Saudi Arabia's quest for a fourth Asian Cup lay in tatters on Monday after they sacked beleaguered coach Jose Peseiro in the wake of an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Syria in their opening game. The Portuguese, a former assistant to Carlos Queiroz at Real Madrid, had been under intense pressure after he failed to get Saudi Arabia to last year's World Cup. Experienced veteran Nasser Al Johar takes over.
With relations with the Saudi media at an all-time low, Peseiro's bosses immediately wielded the axe after seeing the Green Falcons deservedly beaten by Group B outsiders Syria on Sunday evening. "We have sacked Jose Peseiro after the loss and appointed Nasser Al Johar to continue our mission at the Asian Cup," said the Saudi Football Association in a statement in the wake of the humiliating defeat. The Saudis, traditionally one of the region's best teams, had been expected to compete for the Asian Cup crown alongside the likes of Japan, Australia and South Korea, but a brace from Abdulrazak Al Husein sealed Peseiro's fate.
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