Arab Cup 2025: Herve Renard Praises Morocco as “team even Brazil fear”

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·8 décembre 2025

Arab Cup 2025: Herve Renard Praises Morocco as “team even Brazil fear”

Saudi Arabia boss slams Hamdan after wasteful Panenka penalty

Arab Cup 2025: Herve Renard Praises Morocco as “team even Brazil fear”

Vidéos OneFootball

Saudi Arabia boss Herve Renard didn't hold back his criticism of striker Abdullah Al Hamdan following poorly executed Panenka penalty that cost them a chance to level their 1 - 0 defeat to Morocco in the Arab Cup on Monday.

“We played very good match but we didn't respect football. When you don’t respect football , it's natural that you lose”.

At the post match press conference , he doubled down on his message:

“Our target to reach the quarterfinals with good football. We performed well but respect is important”

Renard was seen speaking angrily to Al Hamdan after the final whistle. Asked about the exchange , the French coach replied:

“Abdullah's like son to me but when you make mistake at home you get punished. That doesn't mean I don’t respect him... he must learn from tonight”

He insisted penalty misses are part of football but execution matters:

“The greatest players miss penalties but respect comes first. Abdullah started with me when he was 18.. he has talent.. I told the truth”...

برنامج المجلس| رينارد مدرب منتخب السعودية: لعبنا مباراة جيدة ولكن لم نحترم كرة القدم ومن الطبيعي ان تخسر حينما لا تحترمها #المغرب_السعودية #قطر2025 #كأس_العرب2025 #قنوات_الكاس || #منصة_شووف
– lundi 8 décembre 2025

Praising Morocco: “Even Brazil fear them”

Renard also paid tribute to his former team Morocco whom he coached to major achievements:

“I spent years in Morocco. It’s a team that plays wonderful football. They are now one of the best national teams in the world.”

He added a bold claim:

“Even Brazil fear your team. I wish you success in the Africa Cup of Nations.”

Brazil & Morocco are set to face each other in the same group at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Looking ahead to the quarterfinals , Renard expects fierce contest against Palestine:

“They have great mental strength. They fight until the last minute.”

He praised their resilience despite difficult circumstances:

“They played the playoff and showed spirit. They want to prove to the world that they are team of great ability.”

World Cup focus will come later

Renard stressed that the priority remains the Arab Cup rather than the long term World Cup plan:

“We still have time. Now we focus on the Arab Cup.. afterwards we will work on many things ahead of the World Cup.”

When asked again about losing first place.. Renard dismissed the discussion:

“You are focused on the standings, this's wrong.. Qualification is what matters. You must look at where we will go not where we stand”

فلسطين مع السعودية.. المغرب أمام سوريا مواجهات ربع نهائي كأس العرب 2025 بدأت تتضح.. توقعاتكم لأطراف المواجهتين المتبقيتين #كأس_العرب2025 #قنوات_الكاس | #منصة_شووف
– lundi 8 décembre 2025