Saudi Arabia name Peseiro as coach

RIYADH // The Portuguese Jose Peseiro has been named coach of Saudi Arabia after the resignation of Nasser Al Johar, the Saudi Press Agency has announced. SPA quoted the head of the Saudi federation as saying Peseiro, who has had stints in charge of Sporting Lisbon in his homeland, Panathinaikos in Greece and Rapid Bucharest in Romania, would arrive in Saudi Arabia on Friday. The 48-year-old becomes Saudi Arabia's 20th coach since 1994.

Johar, who led the Saudis to the 2002 World Cup finals, quit in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to North Korea last week in a 2010 World Cup qualifier, which left them second from bottom in Group Two with four matches remaining. The top two in each group earn automatic berths at South Africa 2010. *Reuters