Job safe for Saudi coach

Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al Johar will be spared the axe even if he fails to deliver a royal command performance and guide them into the second round of the World Cup.

Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, grandson of the Saudi Arabian king, has told Al Johar he expects the Saudis to qualify from a group that contains the Republic of Ireland, Germany and Cameroon.

But the 56-year-old coach, who stepped down at the beginning of their qualifying campaign before returning to see them through, has already been assured his job is safe just two days before their Group E opener against the Germans in Sapporo.

Abdulaziz, also leader of the Saudi Arabian Football Association, said: ‘‘As for the coach and the technical staff, we do not ask them to do more than they are required.

‘‘We trust them and they deserve that. Al Johar will continue in his work whatever the results are.’’

Reports have circulated that the Saudi FA wanted a big name to spearhead their campaign, but Al Johar - last year’s Asian coach of the year - kept hold of the reins and his country’s prince is one who expects them to repeat their second-round appearance from their debut World Cup in 1994.

‘‘We are sure we can make our way into the second round and we have not had any other thoughts in our heads except those,’’ said Abdulaziz.

‘‘My players are ready for round two and I am sure we can do it. My players are preparing for just that.’’

Al Johar’s second spell in charge of the national team had begun when he took over from the sacked Milan Macala in the middle of the 2000 Asian Cup finals.

He responded by taking them to the final, where they lost to World cup co-hosts Japan, before stepping down soon after for new coach Slobodan Santrac to lead their bid for a third successive World Cup finals.

Al Johar then rescued the faltering campaign, although they needed an Iran slip-up to book their place in Japan and Korea, and the Saudis continued their promising form by lifting the Gulf Cup.

However, Abdulaziz is keen to stress that he will not make any rash decisions should they produce a performance more on par with France 98, where they picked up only one point from their group games.

‘‘Our level of where we are at will not be measured just by our performances at this World Cup,’’ said the Prince.

‘‘We are progressing and we are developing. It will not be the final result for Saudi football as we are continuing to plan for the future.

‘‘We sincerely hope that our dreams can come true and I hope the players will perform to the level that is required of them.’’