As the Saudis prepare to face North Korea in Melbourne on Wednesday, the three-time Asian champions are still coming to terms with their late 1-0 defeat to China over the weekend.
Saudi Arabia were left to rue a missed penalty as Yu Hai gave the Chinese maximum points in Group B action at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Striker Naif Hazazi's saved penalty in the 62nd minute, that made the headlines after a ball boy told China goalkeeper Wang Dalei which way to dive, came back to haunt Saudi Arabia in Brisbane.
"We still have a chance to qualify as it is not finished, only the first game," said the 45-year-old Romanian.
"I hope the players play with the same determination and spirit - a different game means a different approach, we will rest the players and find the best formula to start again.
"The players should not lose their confidence. We have to win the next two games."
"Our team did not show their full ability [against Uzbekistan]. Had we played better it may have been a different result," said Jo.
"I think there are a lot of teams here that are very strong, possibly even stronger than us.
"To go through we will have to concentrate on each and every match. That is the only way to progress further in the competition."
