Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al-Johar took consolation in the fact his team were in good company as they departed the World Cup.
The Saudis lost all three of their Group E games, conceding 12 goals and without scoring one themselves.
Al-Johar said: "World champions France have also gone out in the first rond without scoring any goals.
"We played very well, especially in the first half, but we missed a lot of chances that could have made a big difference to the result.
"We've learned a lot of lessons and gained a lot of experience from our participation in this tournament.
"But we will go home and discuss all the negatives with the Saudi Football Association.
"We will rebuild our team again to get lots of positive results in the future."
Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Deayea said the ball was at fault for Ireland's final goal in their 3-0 win.
"For the third goal, I blame the ball," said Al-Deayea,
announcing he would step down from international football.
Just three minutes from time the goalkeeper conceded his 12th goal of the tournament, despite getting both hands to Damien Duff's powerful drive.
"During the shots, the shape becomes completely different,"
Al-Deayea said of the Fevernova ball which has come in for both acclaim and criticism from players.
"It's a ball which is good for the forwards, bad for the
goalkeepers.
"Don't just ask me, ask other goalkeepers and you'll get the
same answer."
Ireland's keeper Shay Given certainly felt sympathy for
Al-Deayea.
"The ball was like a bar of soap," he said.
Al-Deayea fumbled Duff's shot for Ireland's third
|
"Because of the wet conditions, the grip wasn't very good at
all.
He was probably sweating as much as I was and my gloves were drenched. I had to change them for a dry pair at half-time."
Al-Deayea said he was relieved to be heading home, but
admitted he was not completely happy with his own performance in these World Cup finals.
"I'm not satisfied. I let in a lot but that's football," he
said, speaking through an interpreter.
"We did our best but God didn't want to give us any goals."
E-mail this story to a friend
