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Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that national team coach Georgios Donis attributed the difficulties his squad faced in advancing to the Arabian Gulf Cup final to fatigue among the players. The Green Falcons overcame Qatar in a penalty shootout following a scoreless draw through regular and extra time at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. Donis praised the players for their resilience in what he described as a demanding match against a well-organized and experienced opponent that defended effectively throughout.
The Greek coach told the post-match news conference that the short nature of the regional tournament had made fatigue a significant factor in the semi-final. “This is a short competition and fatigue has an impact” Donis said. “We deserved to win after an impressive performance. We had problems with the players’ fatigue during the match but I am happy with what happened. The players will produce a good final and that is what we expect from them.”
Saudi Arabia had earlier topped Group A with a 1-0 victory over Kuwait in the opening match and a subsequent 3-0 win against Oman according to tournament coverage by Arab News. Those results left the hosts with six points and a clean sheet before the semi-final although their attacking output remained limited with the Kuwait win featuring an own goal. The group-stage performances allowed the team to secure its final berth with one match to spare against Iraq.
Time News reported that the final against the United Arab Emirates is scheduled for October 6 at King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah. Donis called on his squad to prioritize recovery in the days leading into the decider. He stressed the importance of treating each fixture individually while preparing optimal strategies once the team regains its physical freshness. The coach also outlined tactical modifications made during the semi-final break to address the fatigue that had begun to surface among key starters.
Earlier in the competition Donis had spoken of the need to rotate players because matches arrive every three days making it impossible to forecast the full extent of fatigue or injuries Arab News reported from one of his prior briefings. That perspective shaped his approach to squad management across the tournament as he sought to develop depth beyond the starting lineup. The coach had noted that several squad members required additional time to reach full readiness after joining the camp later than others.
The semi-final win on penalties completed Saudi Arabia’s passage to the decider despite their inability to convert territorial dominance into goals against Qatar’s defensive setup. Donis expressed particular satisfaction with the collective effort and the fans’ contribution to the atmosphere at Alinma Stadium. He reminded the players after the match to acknowledge the supporters whose presence had helped influence the outcome.
