Dounis: Our goal is to win Gulf 27.. Al-Juwair's absence is impactful

The Saudi Arabia national team has raised its ambitions ahead of the opening of Gulf Cup 27 against Kuwait tomorrow, Wednesday, in Jeddah. George Donis and Mohammed Al-Owais emphasized their aim for the title and the importance of building a strong identity for the Green.

Donis explained that holding the tournament in Saudi Arabia provides players with an additional incentive, expressing his happiness to compete on the kingdom's soil and his desire to deliver a performance that delights the fans, while benefiting from their support.

The coach of the national team pointed out that pressure is a natural part of football, but he stressed the need to deal with it positively, confirming that the team possesses a mix of experience, youth, and international exposure.

Donis spoke about the absence of Musab Al-Juwair, emphasizing that the comparison between him and Mukhtar Ali is not appropriate, as each player has different characteristics and roles. However, he acknowledged that Al-Juwair's absence is impactful for the national team.

Mohammed Al-Owais considers the match against Kuwait a Gulf derby against a team with a rich history, affirming that Saudi Arabia will enter the encounter with its personality and identity, and is looking to secure points at the King Abdullah Sports City.

Saudi Arabia's captain stressed that Gulf Cup 27 represents a challenge and motivation ahead of upcoming commitments, particularly the AFC Asian Cup, confirming that the goal is to compete for the title while building a stronger identity for the Green.