Sosa: Our ambition is to compete for the Gulf Cup title
Helio Sousa, the Portuguese head coach of the Kuwait national team, confirmed that the “Blue” are ready to face their Saudi counterparts tomorrow, Wednesday, in the opening match of their campaign in the Gulf Arab Cup, “Khaleeji Al-Diyar Al-Arabiya 27,” emphasizing that Kuwait’s ambitions extend beyond the opening game to competing for the tournament title.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sousa said: “We have been preparing for the tournament for several weeks, and the training camp (in Doha) went well. We are ready for the opening match.”
He explained that the Kuwaiti team went through several phases during the preparation period and that plans may change depending on the nature of the opponents, adding: “We will face strong opponents, and we must prepare differently. Our goal is to win the match and, ultimately, to win the tournament.”
Sousa noted that the technical staff is working to identify and address weaknesses, stressing that the task is not easy, especially given the challenges the Kuwaiti team has faced in recent years. He said: “Kuwait has gone through several problems and has been absent from major tournaments for a long time. We must bring the team back to where it belongs and give the players enough confidence and comfort.”
Sousa emphasized the importance of preparing his players mentally and technically for the challenges ahead in the tournament.
Regarding the match against the “Green,” the Portuguese coach acknowledged that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have a long history in Gulf tournaments, but stressed that the circumstances differ in each phase. He said: “We will be realistic. The Saudi team has outstanding players and is a very strong side with a significant track record and a distinguished history. Moreover, they are playing on their home ground.”
He added: “We will try to capitalize on our strengths and seek to gain the upper hand. We do not want to add extra pressure on the players at this stage. We have three strong opponents in our group, but we want a strong start and always strive to win.”
For his part, Georgios Donis, the Greek head coach of the Saudi national team, confirmed that the “Green” aim to win the Gulf Cup title. He noted that the exclusion of his player Musab Al-Juwayr for disciplinary reasons represents a technical loss for the team, but he stressed his confidence in the current squad.
Donis explained that representing the Saudi national team imposes a responsibility on everyone to deliver their best performances. He also addressed the pressures that may accompany the “Green”’s participation in a tournament held on their home soil and in front of their fans, confirming that managing these pressures is an important part of preparing for the competition.
He concluded: “I believe in the players, and we must reinforce the positives. This match is not a final. We will play against Kuwait with our character and identity, and then we will analyze our mistakes. Every match is different from the last, and our goal is to improve on what we were.”
