Asian Debate: Should Saudi Arabia Regret Firing Al Ittihad Coach Gabriel Calderon?

Before the first leg of the Asian Champions League semi-finals, the smart money was on the two experienced continental campaigners to take their places in Tokyo on November 7.

Al Ittihad and Pohang Steelers are not there yet but they should book their spots in the second legs next Wednesday.

Stranger things have happened in the knockout stages of the tournament in the past; the Saudi Arabians demonstrated that in the final of the 2004 edition, overturning a 3-1 home leg setback at the hands of Seongnam Ilwha to win the second leg away from home 5-0.

But a 6-2 home win in the first leg against Nagoya Grampus is the kind of cushion that should enable the 2004 and 2005 winners to sleep peacefully on their long journey eastwards. It should also enable a long and comfortable two-week plus stay in Japan as the final takes place just ten days later.


Nagoya were spirited in Jeddah, twice taking the lead despite losing Akira Takeuchi to an early red card. The contest was a tight one until the last third when midfielder Mohammed Noor scored three times to put the contest beyond the Aichi outfit.

Noor knows all about this competition and while he is increasingly inconsistent as he approaches his 32nd year, he has long been one of the best midfielders in Asia. Coach Gabriel Calderon knows him well from his time in charge of Saudi Arabia in qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

‘Saudi Arabia’s Patrick Vieira’ was a steady influence then as the Green Falcons booked their berths in Germany with a game to spare.

Calderon, a defender at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups with Argentina, was impressive during his 12 months in charge in Riyadh but was then fired at the end of 2005 with the World Cup just months away.

Apparent disquiet about Calderon’s preparation plans for the German football fest made their way to the Saudi press and soon after the 49 year-old was gone. Marcos Paqueta came in and collected a point in the three group games.


The former Paris St Germain and Real Betis backman has always claimed a lack of bitterness about the decision but to be cut six months after a very successful qualification campaign and six months before the biggest sporting event in the world and the dream of every coach, was cruel even by the standards of Saudi football.

The new-version of Calderon has a steeliness about him and there is a desire to show the decision-makers back in Riyadh, who have just seen the national team fail to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, what they are missing.

He did just that in May as he took the league title back to Jeddah at the end of his first season with Al Ittihad. His Tigers then earned a good deal of respect for Saudi football by almost defeating Real Madrid in the Peace Cup.

It is in the 2009 Asian Champions League however where Calderon is once again making his mark on Asian football.

Al Ittihad are unbeaten in ten games so far and have scored four against Pakhtakor in the second leg in the previous round and have already thrashed fellow semi-finalists Umm Salal 7-0. Now Nagoya have been hit for six.

The game would have been different if it had been eleven vs eleven but it is the good teams, the well-organised teams, that take advantage of the advantages that come their way.

As the game wore on Ittihad, who had demonstrated admirable patience, became ever more dangerous.


While he looks likely to be in Tokyo in November, the Green Falcons will be sat on their perch next summer as the action unfolds in South Africa.

John Duerden

Asia Editor

john.duerden@goal.com