Saudis need to travel more, says coach

BAD DURKHEIM, June 24 (Reuters) Coach Marcos Paqueta believes Saudi Arabia's players need to start playing abroad if they are ever to make an impact at the World Cup.

Yesterday's 1-0 defeat by Spain sealed a third first-round exit in the last four tournaments, the only exception being in 1994 when they reached the second round.

Their showing this time round was slightly better than four years ago when they failed to gain a point or a goal in their group, conceding 12 in the process.

A late equaliser denied them victory against Tunisia and after a 4-0 drubbing by Ukraine they pushed a second-string Spain team all the way in Kaiserslautern.

Every member of the squad plays his football in Saudi Arabia, however, and Brazilian Paqueta says that is the problem.

''International experience is so important in tournaments like the World Cup,'' Paqueta told reporters.

''The players are highly regarded in Saudi Arabia and in Asia but they lack the experience against major opponents.

''We had the friendlies before the World Cup but that's a very short programme. It's important for the confidence of the players that they play against world class players on a more regular basis.

''You could see that in our performances here. We were always better in the second half, when we were calmer.'' Whether or not Paqueta, who was only installed as coach in December, gets the chance to continue working with a talented but lightweight squad is open to question as the Saudi football federation hires and fires with alarming frequency.

''I've got two more years left of my contract with the Saudi team and I think we can improve significantly,'' added the former coach of top club side Al Hilal.

Experienced captain and striker Sami Al Jaber who, along with goalkeeper Mohamed Al Deayea, announced his retirement from international football yesterday, said Asian football in general needed to improve.

As well as the Saudis, Iran, Japan and South Korea all ditched out in the first round.

Only Australia, recent newcomers to the Asian confederation, survived the group stage.

''Four years ago South Korea did well and Japan made the second round, but here everything is different, the style of football, the weather; this is the real World Cup,'' said Al Jaber.

''We showed against Spain in the second half that we have the talent, but we need to develop the game more.'' REUTERS PM HS1438