KUWAIT CITY: Herve Renard, the Saudi national football team’s head coach, expressed confidence on Saturday in his team’s readiness to compete at the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, which gets underway on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference, the Frenchman emphasized that his team was aiming for significant results rather than merely gaining experience.

“We are here to participate effectively and win,” Renard said. “This tournament provides a great platform to work with the players and prepare them for future competitions.”

Renard also said the tournament was a good way to enhance the technical and physical capabilities of his players.

He provided updates on key players, confirming that defender Hassan Tambakti was fully ready for action. However, he said Salem Al-Dawsari was still working to regain full fitness.

Renard praised Al-Dawsari’s dedication to his recovery process, saying it demonstrated his commitment to the team.

Meanwhile, striker Firas Al-Brikan is dealing with an injury, and his participation will depend on further medical evaluations.

Acknowledging the challenges of the competition, Renard said: “I accepted this challenge because I believe in the players’ capabilities. We must work with team spirit and focus on improvement in the coming period.”

The Saudi team get their campaign up and running against Bahrain on Sunday, and Renard stressed the importance of delivering a strong performance to set the tone for the tournament.

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced on Friday the departure of Monika Staab, its technical director of women’s football, after more than three years with the organization.

She was credited with transforming the women’s game in the Kingdom during her tenure and for inspiring a new generation of players to take up the sport.

Staab, a former player from Germany, joined the federation in August 2021, initially as the first head coach of the Saudi women’s national team. The federation said her leadership and vision played a pivotal role in shaping its strategy for women’s football, driving growth both on and off the pitch. She was appointed technical director in February 2023.

She coached the women’s national team in their first-ever match, a landmark 2-0 victory over the Seychelles in February 2022. Under her guidance, the Kingdom launched its first regional league for women in 2021, followed by a national football championship in 2022.

Staab also spearheaded the introduction of under-17 and under-20 women’s national teams, laying the foundations for the development of future talent.

In March 2023, she helped the Saudi women’s national team secure its first-ever FIFA ranking, and this month they reached their highest-ever position, climbing eight places to 166th. The team is now about to begin its campaign to qualify for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Staab leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of milestones that have shaped women’s football in Saudi Arabia, the federation said.

“We bid farewell to Monika and thank her for helping to transform women’s football across Saudi Arabia,” said Lamia Bahaian, the organization’s vice president, as she expressed her deep gratitude for Staab’s contributions.

“Her vision, passion and tenacity have inspired us all. There are young girls across Saudi Arabia now playing football at all levels thanks to the work she has done and the impact she’s had.

“Although her time with SAFF has drawn to a close, her legacy will continue for generations.”

Bayan Sadagah, the captain of the women’s national team, said: “Monika has inspired both myself and all my teammates to believe in ourselves and our team. Our journey as a team is inspiring so many girls across the country to play and follow football, and I know we all wish her the very best for the future.”

The federation said women’s football has become a cornerstone of its strategy to grow the sport at all levels and participation has surged, with more than 70,000 schoolgirls playing football across the country.