Renard eyes ‘two more steps’ as Abu Jazar hails Palestine’s fighting spirit

Doha, Qatar: Saudi Arabia s extra time win against a spirited Palestine on Thursday didn t just push the Green Falcons into the Arab Cup semi finals,...

Doha, Qatar: Saudi Arabia’s extra-time win against a spirited Palestine on Thursday didn’t just push the Green Falcons into the Arab Cup semi-finals, it also laid bare the contrasting emotions inside the Lusail Stadium tunnels long after Mohamed Kanno’s 115th-minute header had settled the contest.

Herve Renard, typically sharp and composed after a draining 120-minute battle, made little attempt to mask his satisfaction. The Frenchman called the 2-1 win “an important step” on Saudi Arabia’s path, framing the night as a box ticked in a larger mission.

“We achieved our goal of winning and qualifying,” he said, reminding everyone that the performance mattered less than the passage.

But Renard was quick to broaden the spotlight, signalling respect for a Palestinian side that refused to fade even after the late sucker punch.

“We must congratulate the Palestinian team, who played with a high fighting spirit,” he added, acknowledging just how uncomfortably they had pushed Saudi Arabia to the edge.