Saudi Arabia fires coach after loss to Syria

DOHA, Qatar (AP) - Saudi Arabia's official news agency says Jose Peseiro has been fired as national team coach after the shock 2-1 loss to Syria at the Asian Cup.

The Saudi Press Agency says Peseiro was dismissed by the country's football federation after Sunday's loss at Al Rayyan Stadium.

Naser al-Johar, a former Saudi Arabia defender and coach, is Peseiro's replacement.

Peseiro, who took over the Saudi team in 2009, had argued his team didn't play badly in the loss, saying "we did not deserve to lose, but we did and we are disappointed."

The Portuguese coach was under pressure to perform well at the continental tournament following Saudi Arabia's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and the loss of the Gulf Cup title to Kuwait.