Johar remains confident despite hammering (Allsport)

By Jason Hughes, PA International, Sapporo

Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for Saudi Arabia team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone

Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al Johar has not given up hope of making the second round despite his team's 8-0 hammering by Germany.

The Saudis' hopes of qualifying from Group E were left in tatters after they were ripped apart by the Germans in Sapporo.

But Al Johar insisted: "We still have a chance to qualify because we have two games left and the people of Saudi Arabia can be assured that we will do our best."

They have lost their opening games of their previous two World Cups, against Holland in 94 and Denmark at France 98.

However, they still went on to qualify for the last 16 on their World Cup debut in the United States, but that achievement alread looks beyond them on the evidence of this dismal display.

If they are to stand any chance, Al Johar will need to pick up his demoralised troops for their next game against Cameroon in Saitama on June 6, and also for the clash with the Republic of Ireland in Yokohama five days later.

And he will be hoping they improve drastically on their opening display, where they failed to register a single shot of note on target during the 90 minutes.

"It was a disastrous performance and a very poor match," said Al Johar.

"People in Saudi Arabia do not expect a display like that and needless to say we are very disappointed.

"I am responsible, but some players did not perform well - that is obvious when you have let in eight goals."