Riyadh: Minor details and mental strength will decide Wednesday’s Gulf Cup final between hosts Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to Green Falcons coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro.
Saudi are the resounding favourites to lift their fourth Gulf Cup title on home soil at a packed King Fahd International Stadium, having won nine games to Qatar’s two in 20 previous Gulf Cup encounters.
However, the fact Qatar held Saudi to a 1-1 draw in the opening game at the same stadium to kick-off this tournament just two weeks ago - twinned with the pressure of being hosts - leaves Caro under no illusion of how difficult this feat will be.
“We expect it to be a very difficult match because both teams know each other and have played together earlier in this tournament,” said the Spanish former Real Madrid coach. “And for my team, we will be obliged to win because the tournament is held on our soil and in front of our fans.
“I believe the meeting will be resolved through the smallest details, and we hope success is our ally to give joy to the Saudi public.”
Caro added that with both teams so evenly matched, the side more attune to dealing with pressure would come out victorious.
“Cup finals are always played within a different method and framework, and the psychological aspect is very important in such games. Along with tactical and technical matters, mentality will also have a decisive influence on the outcome of the game.
“To be elected to play for the title will require great efforts from the players, but I wish that all our players are given privacy in order to create the best memories of participating in this tournament.”
Caro has been under intense pressure from the Saudi press after winning just two in ten games coming into this tournament. The Greens may have qualified top of their 2015 Asian Cup qualifying group and made it to the Gulf Cup final, but the expectations locally are astronomic.
“We currently do not want to address the pressure that we experience,” said Caro, whose side beat the UAE 3-2 in the semi-final, after topping Group A with results over Qatar 1-1, Bahrain 3-0 and Yemen 1-0. “Our focus is only on the match and the Cup.
“I have already said several times I am not thinking about my future, I just take care to do my work and see the team progress in the best image for the final, so my conscience is satisfied that I did my best.”
