As Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Bin Abdullah Al-Saud negotiates to buy a stake in Liverpool, the Kingdom's top football administrator predicted that 12 English clubs could soon be run by Saudi businessmen. Ali Al-Faraj became the Premier League's first this week by taking over at Portsmouth, and Prince Faisal is set to resume talks with Liverpool co-owner George Gillett Jr. next week about buying a minority stake in the club. “In one year's time, if there was no backfire and everyone is settled, I am sure at least 10 more investors will come,” said Hafez Al-Medlej, chairman of the Saudi Professional League Commission. “Not necessarily to the Premier League. They might come and buy some clubs at the Championship level.” “Last year I spoke to some people interested in championship clubs and making inquiries. Their specific needs are they wanted a club whose average crowd is high, facilities are good and a club in London. Not always a team top of the league. To buy a club from the First Division and bring it up is an even better investment,” said Al-Medlej who attended the Leaders In Football summit at Stamford Bridge Thursday. Kiwis in Bahrain Bahrain coach Milan Macala doesn't believe his team will be complacent against New Zealand Saturday with its first berth at a World Cup at stake. Bahrain, which came close to qualifying for the 2002 and 2006 tournaments, beat Saudi Arabia on away goals to set up a final two-legged playoff against the Kiwis to advance to next year's tournament in South Africa. The second leg is Nov. 14 in Wellington. “I am not afraid about any of our players being over confident against New Zealand,” Macala said. “They have experienced being so close to the World Cup before and not making it, so I don't think they will be taking anything for granted this time. “They are very determined to qualify for South Africa and are willing to do what it takes to achieve their dream. They know now how to handle this situation.” Macala has been in charge of Bahrain since 2007. The 66-year-old Czech has previously coached his own national team, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Czech club Slavia Prague. He led Kuwait to two Gulf Cup of Nations titles. Bahrain fell at the final hurdle for the 2006 tournament in a cross-confederation playoff with Trinidad and Tobago after 17 qualifying matches. Bahrain has climbed in FIFA's rankings to No. 64, while New Zealand is at No. 100 after having reached a high of No. 44 in 2004.
