AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Sorry, mother.Saudi Arabia coach Hervé Renard felt he disenchanted his mom when Poland beat his group on the World Cup on Saturday.The French coach mentioned earlier than the match that it was going to be very particular for her as a result of her dad and mom have been Polish, “however she’s going to put on her Saudi nationwide shirt. Don’t fear.”It’s the primary World Cup that Renard’s mom has attended and he or she was at Lusail Stadium to see one of many greatest upsets when his group defeated Argentina 2-1 in its opening match.“I feel each week she’s watching perhaps two, three video games,” Renard mentioned. “She loves soccer, so in fact, she was very completely happy.”There was no repeat upset Saturday as Robert Lewandowski scored one aim and arrange one other in Poland’s 2-0 win.“She received’t be pleased with me this night,” Renard mentioned. “I’m positive she’s actually unhappy. However I’ll inform her, you all the time repeat to me, ‘By no means surrender. All the time work exhausting and the possibility will come again.’”Qualifying for the second spherical continues to be attainable for Saudi Arabia after its loss to Poland.“Like I mentioned earlier than, we’re nonetheless alive,” Renard mentioned.The 54-year-old Renard was already nicely preferred for his success with the Saudi Arabia group since taking on in 2019 and his reputation has grown much more because the win over Argentina.Renard was swarmed by admirers after press convention Friday when native journalists lined as much as take selfies with him. The suave Frenchman patently smiled his broad smile, flashing immaculate enamel for the pictures and he appeared in no hurry to go away.Renard has had nice success on the worldwide degree. He surprisingly guided Zambia to its first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012, then repeated the feat with Ivory Coast three years later.The previous Lille and Sochaux coach helped Morocco qualify for the 2018 World Cup. It was the primary time in 20 years Morocco had reached the event. His group solely managed one level from three group stage video games, nonetheless, shedding 1-0 to each Iran and Portugal earlier than drawing 2-2 with Spain.This World Cup is already higher. Towards Poland on Saturday, Saudi Arabia had twice as many photographs at aim as Poland did. Poland was boosted by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had a penalty save and several other different important blocks.“We didn’t lose the sport at this time as a result of we’re unfortunate. We misplaced the sport to them as a result of we weren’t environment friendly,” mentioned Renard, who praised Szczesny. “He did his job, a implausible job. However no one found him at this time, huh? He’s an excellent goalkeeper.”Renard has delight in how his group has performed in each of its World Cup video games thus far.“I don’t assume lots of people (thought) Saudi Arabia was in a position to play this type of soccer,” he mentioned. “That is the rationale why I’m pleased with them.”Renard referred to the vocal assist the Inexperienced Falcons obtained at Training Metropolis Stadium, the place the enthusiastic Saudi followers turned the sport into a house one, and he hopes for extra of the identical for the ultimate group sport in opposition to Mexico on Nov. 30 again at Lusail – the place his group beat Argentina.“I hope they received’t surrender,” Renard mentioned of the followers. “As a result of if you find yourself followers, you’ll want to assist your group when it’s a implausible day, however you additionally have to assist your group to make the historical past throughout the third sport.”___
Saudi Arabia coach Hervé Renard sorry to disappoint mom
