Saudi ’keeper blames ball for parting shot

By Mark Gallagher

SAUDI ARABIA’S goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea said the ball was the problem for Ireland’s final goal in their 3-0 win over the Gulf side last night.

“For the third goal, I blame the ball,” said Al-Deayea, announcing he would step down from international football.

“During the shots, the shape becomes completely different,” Al-Deayea said of the Fevernova ball which has come in for both acclaim and criticism from players.

“It’s a ball which is good for the forwards, bad for the goalkeepers,” he said. “Don’t just ask me, ask other goalkeepers and you’ll get the same answer,” he said.

Al-Deayea said he was relieved to be heading home, but admitted he was not completely happy with his own performance in these World Cup finals. “I’m not satisfied. I let in a lot but that’s football,” he said.

“We did our best but God didn’t want to give us any goals.”

Meanwhile, the Saudi coach Nasser Al-Johar apologised to supporters after losing their third match of the World Cup finals and letting in another three goals.

“I would like to apologise to everyone in Saudi Arabia - officials and fans - for these results and I promise to do my best in the future.

“We’ve gained a lot of experience and learnt a lot of lessons from our participation at this World Cup but we will go home and discuss all the negatives with the Saudi Arabia Football Association and we will re-build our team again,” he pledged.

Saudi Arabia let in 12 goals and grabbed zero points from their three group matches, never recovering from the 8-0 demolition by Germany in the opening match.

Al-Johar, relatively happy with the Gulf side’s showing against Ireland, said: “Tonight we played very well, especially in the first half but we missed a lot of chances that could have made a big difference.”