Saudi Arabia coach Frank Rijkaard wants the Saudi-based media to get behind the national team.

Saudi Arabia coach Frank Rijkaard wants the Saudi-based media to get behind the national team.Fadi Al Assaad / Reuters

Gulf Cup: Iraq buoyed; Rijkaard sends out plea

Agencies

Iraq v Qatar

Buoyed by their win over Saudi Arabia in the opening game, Iraq are looking to seal a place in the last four with a victory against Kuwait on Wednesday.

“It is an important game because both teams are battling for top position in the group,” said Hakeem Shakir, the Iraq coach.

Saudi Arabia v Yemen

Frank Rijkaard, right, the Saudi Arabia coach, has urged the country’s media and fans to get behind the team as they battle to make the last four following their loss to Iraq.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Yemen, he said: “We need the support for everyone – the media and fans – to achieve our goals.”

sports@thenational.ae

Follow us @SprtNationalUAE

Pages:

Back to the top

Gulf Cup of NationsReports, interviews and features from the Gulf Cup of Nations in Bahrain.

What now for Mahdi Ali's side? Paul Oberjuerge looks at the impact the UAE's success in Bahrain will have on the side's future. Read

Cup final diary Paul Radley travelled with the UAE supporters as they made the trip to watch their side in the final against Iraq. Read

Road to glory Relive the greatest moments from the UAE's route to the final with our picture galleries. View

Winning over fans How Mahdi Ali's side won back the UAE fans with their run to the final. Read

UAE women attending match cause a stir How female fans travelling to the games in Bahrain sparked both supportive and negative comments Read

Future of the Gulf Cup Fifa president Sepp Blatter says the competition must be better planned if it is to get official recognition by world football. Read

Previous article

Transfer talk: January 8 - QPR axe Dyer, Juventus want Drogba,

Next article

Gulf Cup: UAE women attending match causes a stir on Twitter

Sound & Vision

Video: Police, protesters clash in Turkey border town Watch Video
Video: Dueling political rallies end in clashes in Kiev Watch Video
Video: Airstrikes filmed on towns outside of Damascus Watch Video
Video: Senior female politician killed in Pakistan Watch Video
Video: China turns to age-old solution for rural elderly Watch Video
Video: Indonesia healthcare buckling under strain Watch Video
In pictures: What could be the next car for Dubai police? See Pictures
In pictures: Michael Cinco's Fashion Forward See Pictures
In Pictures: Pro League - Round 25 See Pictures

Football

Gareth Bale magic is not enough for Tottenham Hotspur

Poll

What does Sreesanth's arrest on spot-fixing charges tell you about the state of cricket?

This is just a one-off case. Cricket is largely clean. This is just tip of the iceberg. Outcomes of cricket matches cannot be trusted.

Editor's Picks

IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad play their way into play-offs

Deccan Chargers bowler Dale Steyn who took three wickets for eight runs celebrates his team's victory during the IPL Twenty20 cricket match between Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 20, 2012. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. MOBILE USE WITHIN NEWS PACKAGE AFP PHOTO/Noah SEELAM

Sunrisers Hyderabad dashed the hopes of Royal Challengers Bangalore and took Hyderabad into the play-offs of the Indian Premier League in their first season with a five wicket win over Kolkata. Hyderabad will face Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier play-off match on Wednesday. IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad play their way into play-offs

Winds of change swirling around Manchester City

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 19: A Roberto Mancini banner is displayed by fans inside the ground at full time of the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** 169058743.jpg

Carlos Tevez and others may follow manager Roberto Mancini out door at Manchester City, Richard Jolly reports from Etihad Stadium. Winds of change swirling around Manchester City

Ten out of 10 for Sir Alex Ferguson's fond farewell

Manchester United's Scottish manager Alex Ferguson waves to fans before the start of the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, his last game before retirement, at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central England, on May 19, 2013. English football witnessed the end of an era as Alex Ferguson signed off as Manchester United manager with an extraordinary 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion in his 1,500th and final game. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO E

Sir Alex Ferguson manages his last career match with Manchester United as the fans at West Brom saluted the most successful manager in British football history. Ten out of 10 for Sir Alex Ferguson's fond farewell

In Pictures: Pro League – Round 25

Al Ain are upset, Al Shaab continue to disappoint and Josef Hickersberger's charm working for Al Wahda. Again

Al Ain are upset, Al Shaab disappoint and Hickersberger's charm working for Al Wahda. Again. In Pictures: Pro League – Round 25

Horse racing: Trainer opens Group 1 book with a brace

SINGAPORE - MAY 19: Zac Purton rides Military Attack to win the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup during Singapore racing at the Singapore Turf Club on May 19, 2013 in Singapore. (Photo by Neville Hopwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** 169047976.jpg

Trainer John Moore opened his Group 1 book thanks to a pair of wins at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore. Geoffrey Riddle reports. Horse racing: Trainer opens Group 1 book with a brace

Paolo Di Canio fumes at his Sunderland players

Sunderland's manager Paolo Di Canio reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, London, Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Sang Tan) *** Local Caption *** Britain Soccer Premier League.JPEG-02354.jpg

Italian berates side over discipline. Paolo Di Canio fumes at his Sunderland players

Blogs

Shaqran 'the blonde falcon' makes a flying visit

Sound & Vision

Events

Aquathlon

Jun 14 - May 16, 2013

To add your event to The National listings, click here

Topics

E-Paper

e-paper

View the paper as it appeared in print

Download the iPad ereader

Here

App
	Keep up to date with the latest news on the move Get your iPhone app here