Saudi Arabia take on confident Kuwait

Doha, Qatar: Saudi Arabia have been traditionally one of the strongest teams in Asia and it's no different at the 24th Gulf Cup in Doha.

The Saudis take on Kuwait in their opening match in Group B on Wednesday and coach  Herve Renard said they have to be ready even though they haven't had the best of preparations.

The players of Al Hilal, who won the AFC Champions League on Sunday, are yet to join the team and Renard said he expected them to fly to Doha soon.

"We are very happy to be invited for the Gulf Cup," said Renard.

"We did not know about it for long and we have not had the best of preparations. We came to know just before the World Cup qualifier against Kazhakstan and we did well in that match. We also had a friendly against Paraguay which was also very good," said Renard.

Saudi Arabia's opponents Kuwait are not the force they once were, but first matches can always be tricky.

"We know we are playing a good team. We have to be ready for tomorrow. This is a very important tournament for us.

"We are a good defensive sie but offensively we are not that fantastic. At this time we have 12 players and a goalkeeper but I expect every player to be ready for the competition.

Frenchman  Renard, has a big reputation, especially in Africa Cup of Nations having taken Zambia and Ivory Coast to continental dominance in the past and Saudis too expect big things from him.

Kuwait, on the other hand, have been preparing well for the tournament and coach Thamer Enad was confident.  

"We started training about two months ago for the World Cup qualifiers and have played three games. So our preparations have been good and we are ready for the Gulf Cup.

Enad said there is no weak opposition and all thems are good enough to beat each other.

"All eight teams have an equal chance of qualifying for the final," said the former player.

"This is a great tournament and I've also played in this. There is pressure from fans and media but we enjoy it."