News
| Saudia Sack Dos Anjos | |
| Date: 8/6/2007 | |
| By: SK |
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF) parted ways with national team coach Brazilian Hélio dos Anjos and appointed local Nasser Al Johar in his place on Sunday.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), SAFF President Prince Sultan bin Fahad decided to sack Dos Anjos after a meeting with team manager Fahad Al Musabaih, General Secretary Faisal Al Abdulhadi and technical consultant to the federation Naser Al Johar.
The federation felt Dos Anjos had failed to get the desired performance from the national team despite having talented players at his disposal.
Dos Anjos took over from another Brazilian Marcos Paqueta in March 2007 before leading Saudi Arabia to the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 in Jakarta where they lost to Iraq by a solitary goal.
Al Johar, 65, has previously coached the national team between 2000-2002, leading them to the runners-up position in the AFC Asian Cup 2000 in Lebanon and also the FIFA World Cup 2002 where they failed to clear the group stage after losing to Germany 0-8, Cameroon 0-1 and Ireland 0-3.
Saudi Arabia are second in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Group 4 with nine points from four matches, three behind Uzbekistan and could secure their passage to the fourth round if they defeat Singapore (3) on Saturday