Arab derby victory grants Pizzi contract renewal

CAIRO – 27 June 2018: Saudi Arabia Football Federation announced on Tuesday that they reached an agreement with national team manager, Juan Antonio Pizzi, to renew his contract with the team.

📄| #الاتحاد_السعودي_لكرة_القدم يمدد عقد المدير الفني للمنتخب الأول خوان بيتزي حتى نهاية كأس آسيا.. pic.twitter.com/jvDpstKYo7

— الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم (@saudiFF) June 26, 2018

Pizzi has been widely criticized after the Saudi humiliating 5-0 loss to Russia at the World Cup opening but he regained the fans’ confidence after a fine performance against Uruguay despite losing the game 1-0.

Pizzi also led the Saudi team to defeat their Arab rivals, Egypt, 2-1 at the last game of their participation in the World Cup, achieving their first victory at the World Cup since their victory over Belgium at the 1994 World Cup in USA.

💚 pic.twitter.com/WZnev8wbsv

— المنتخب السعودي (@SaudiNT) June 25, 2018

Saudi Arabia ended their participation in the competition at the third position in Group A with three points.

After their early exit, Saudi Arabia are preparing for their participation in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in UAE.

AFC Asian Cup draw put Saudi Arabia in Group E alongside Qatar, Lebanon and North Korea.

Saudi Arabia won three AFC Asian Cup titles in 1984, 1988 and 1996 and they hope to achieve their fourth title and equalize Japan’s record of four titles.