Despite an opening win against Oman, the head coach’s exclusion of senior players and banning of local media has caused debate
Few expected that the big issue in the opening days of the Asian Cup would be centred around the Saudi Arabian camp but there are already concerns that the team’s chances of winning the trophy for the first time since 1996 could be derailed.
The head coach, Roberto Mancini, excluded three senior players from the squad, accusing them of picking and choosing when they wanted to play for the national team. The trio have strongly denied the Italian’s claims. The recriminations may continue for some time even if a 96th-minute winning goal from Ali al-Bulaihi against Oman on Tuesday in the Asian Cup may help to calm the situation.