Japan are now 9/2 to win the Asian Cup after being held 1-1 by Jordan in their opening group game

Saudi Arabia have sacked Jose Peseiro after they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to unfancied Syria in their opening game of the Asian Cup on Sunday.

Portuguese boss Peseiro was appointed in February 2009 but had already faced heavy criticism after failing to steer his side to the World Cup last year.

The Saudi Football Federation (SFF) have acted act swiftly following their latest defeat, with Nasser Al Johar – who took the Saudis to the final of the 2000 Asian Cup – named as Peseiro’s replacement for the remainder of the tournament, according to the Asian Football Confederation’s official website.

“The performance was bad and we want to correct things before the next two matches,” SFF president HRH Prince Sultan Bin Fahd said.

Al Johar must now lift the team for remaining Asian Cup Group B fixtures against Jordan and Japan if they are to avoid crashing out at the group stage for only second time in their history.

Japan are now 9/2 to win the Asian Cup after being held 1-1 by Jordan in their opening group game