Strength and desire saw Iraq through, says Saudi coach

JAKARTA, July 29 (Reuters) Iraq, galvanised by global support, deserved to win the Asian Cup because of their strength and desire, the coach of Saudi Arabia said today.

The Saudis were bidding to become the first four-times winners of the Asian Cup but lost 1-0 after being unable to impose themselves on a hard-running Iraq side who refused to give an inch.

''Iraq deserved to win today because of their desire and strength they got possession,'' Saudi coach Helio Cesar dos Anjos told a news conference.

''They made it very difficult for us to play our football,'' added dos Anjos, who said he knew once Iraq had made the final they would be extremely motivated.

''All the world is being a supporter of this national team of Iraq,'' he added.

The 60,000 fans in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the Indonesian capital also overwhelmingly got behind the Iraq team.

Brazilian dos Anjos said it was still a period of transition for Saudi Arabia football and he remained upbeat.

''We are optimistic, it's not the last tournament.'' He also played tribute to the hard-suffering people of Iraq.

''Congratulations for the team of Iraq, all the staff and especially for the people in Iraq .... who deserve to be happy.'' The Saudis can take heart from a strong performance in the tournament, scoring more goals than any other side and with skipper Yasser Al Qahtani joint top scorer with four goals.

It was only the third time that two Middle Eastern countries have contested the final -- Iran beat Kuwait 1-0 in 1976 and Saudi Arabia beat United Arab Emirates on penalties in 1996.

The Saudis previously won the Asian Cup in 1984, 1988 and 1996.

Reuters JT DB2237