Herve Renard's Defining World Cup Qualifier

Herve Renard, in high spirits, has dubbed the upcoming World Cup qualifying match between Saudi Arabia and Iraq as the most crucial in his coaching journey. Scheduled for Tuesday in Jeddah, the stakes are high, as Saudi Arabia is on the brink of securing a place in the next year's finals with merely a draw needed.

The Frenchman, celebrated for his two African Cup of Nations victories, leads his Saudi team into this crucial match. Renard emphasized the magnitude of the match, overshadowing past achievements, including Saudi's win over Argentina in the last World Cup. "This game, for me, it's the most important game in my career. I will explain to you after the game," he stated.

Back in his second stint as coach after replacing Roberto Mancini, Renard has revitalized Saudi Arabia's World Cup aspirations. With a slim lead in Group B thanks to a win over Indonesia, Saudi Arabia sits poised alongside Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Uzbekistan, and Jordan in the finals. Iraq's coach Graham Arnold acknowledges their challenge, aiming for an outright win to bypass Saudi's draw or win options.

(With inputs from agencies.)