If the Saudis bow out today at the International Stadium in Yokohama on the back of another defeat, and without finding the net, then it is likely it will be Al-Johar’s last match at the helm.

Sadly for Al-Johar, he believes the Saudi people are living on the memory of former glories, and in particular the squad’s accomplishments in the United States in 1994. On that occasion, despite an opening-game loss to Holland, Saudi Arabia qualified for the second round with shock wins over Morocco and Belgium.

After topping both of their Asian qualifying groups this time round, much was expected of the Saudi squad back in their homeland, only for the passionate supporters to suffer bitter disappointment.

Said Al-Johar: "The Saudi people shouldn’t always focus on what we did in our first participation in 1994 because if they continue to do so we will not improve our level of performance.

"They should realise there is a lot of difference between Belgium and Morocco and the three-time world champions Germany and African champions Cameroon."

He added: "The Irish team is actually on a par quality wise with the Germans and the Cameroons, and in fact were better than the two of them in the first two matches.

"We know we could ruin Ireland’s tournament, but in football you don’t not play well in order to give Ireland a chance to qualify," said striker Al-Hassan said.

"We’re looking for a win to cancel out the previous performances, especially the one against Germany."

Al-Johar is without both his first-choice strikers in Sami Al Jaber, who underwent an appendectomy on Saturday, and Obaid Al Dosari who tore knee ligaments in the defeat to Cameroon. The Saudis are also likely to be without one of their key midfielders in Abdullah Al-Sharani who is suffering with painful joints in his right leg which forced him to miss training over the weekend.

* Bolton manager Sam Allardyce confirmed yesterday he was interested in signing Republic defender Gary Kelly.

Allardyce told the club’s official website, www.bwfc.co.uk: "We are very interested in Gary. He’s a quality performer who has plenty of experience at domestic and international level and would be a tremendous asset to our squad."

It has been reported that Leeds boss David O’Leary is looking for £4million for the player, but that fee could prove to be the stumbling block with Allardyce also looking to keep French World Cup star Youri Djorkaeff at the club.

"The £4 million would be too much for us," added Allardyce.

"If I had that kind of money to spend it would have to go on a striker and not a full--back. That is no disrespect to Gary, who is a fantastic player."

But the Bolton boss could also face competition from Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, who is believed to be interested in signing Kelly.