The Asian Game’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is proudly sponsored by SMC.
Twelve minutes is all it took for Saudi Arabia to realise their World Cup dreams weren’t going to be all roses and light.
Two hours later, their return to the grandest international footballing stage was in a state of embarrassment and déjà vu. A 5-0 opening day defeat to hosts Russia in 2018 brought memories of 2002 and their 8-0 reverse to Germany flooding straight back.
Four years on from Moscow, a repeat prospect, irrespective of their own preparations, looks more than likely as they set to face one of the World Cup title contenders Argentina, bolstered by a certain Lionel Messi.
For all the similarities, Saudi Arabia are in a different place in 2022. Herve Renard has stiffened up a squad who were early in their evolution four years ago, on the path towards a more modern style of Saudi football. During qualification for Qatar, Renard balanced their newly found riches in attack with the strong stability most, at least in Asia, associate with the Green Falcons.
Following two months of solid preparation, across eight matches in their Abu Dhabi training camp, Renard couldn’t complain of a lack of contact time with his final 26-man squad. But while you’d expect he’d be running the rule over his squad’s defensive credentials ahead of a such a daunting opening fixture, the puzzle has largely been in attack.
Only four goals over that eight game period has been evident of the threat they’ve posed over the last year. Injuries haven’t helped their cause, however the last-minute selection dilemma between Saad Al-Shehri and Firas Al-Buraikan as the starting striker within the line-up doesn’t exactly represent a decision of a coach with an abundance of choice.
In their final pre-World Cup tune-up against Croatia last week they did look a much more rounded team, even in attacking areas.
Captain Salman Al-Faraj, who runs the game for Saudi Arabia when in possession, was back from injury and purring, while Salem Al-Dawsari was also starting to shine again. Having a free hit heading into the World Cup to give more minutes to a few fragile squad members may in the end aid Saudi Arabia when they go on to face more competitive matches against Poland and Mexico in the weeks to come.
The question marks in selection ahead of kick off concern central defence; while Hassan Tambakti has been struggling for fitness of late, Ali Al-Bulaihi is expected to slot in. Elsewhere, on the right side of the attack, Fahad Al-Muwallad’s exclusion from the squad with a doping ban hanging over him has opened up a slot for the likes of Firas Al-Buraikan and Haitham Asiri to battle it out.
Full backs, Saud Abdulhamid and Yasser Al-Shahrani both look to have timed their return to full fitness and form perfectly but may prove to be Saudi Arabia’s only real outlet against Argentina.
That said, as Asian football recovers following embarrassing defeats for Qatar and Iran in the first two days of World Cup action, many Saudi fans will be expecting the worst from Lionel Scaloni’s team.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
SALMAN AL-FARAJ – A shoulder injury on the eve of the tournament looks to have been shrugged off, as the Saudi captain made it comfortably through 70 minutes against Croatia last week. Al-Faraj’s inclusion is essential to the way Renard plays, and given his experience, with any early setbacks against Argentina, he’ll be the cool head for others to look to.
A goalscorer back in Russia, he’ll also be key in how the team moves forward. His link up with Al-Hilal teammate Al-Dawsari remains one of the key bright spots in Saudi’s attacking game.
SAUD ABDULHAMID – A diminutive right back, who featured predominantly as a centre back for the U23s in their Asian Cup success over the summer, Abdulhamid has nailed down his importance, not only as a starter under Renard during preparations, but as a key attacking threat.
Given little defensive responsibly in their warm-up encounters, Saud has been regularly caught out of position or flat-footed in one-on-one duels but going forward he can stretch the opposition.
SALEM AL-DAWSARI – The Green Falcons’ key man over the last five years, he has ingenuity, pace and crucially for this goal deprived Saudi team, an eye for goal. Getting him in positions where he can have that impact will be the key ask of Renard’s game plan, not just against Argentina but for the rest of the group stage.
A one-club man for much of his playing days, his star-studded career at Al-Hilal was only shortly interrupted by a minute-deprived spell in Spain, which despite its lack of success on the pitch, was the making of the player that has succeeded ever since.
WHAT THEY SAID
Herve Renard – Saudi Arabia coach
“We are very happy to start this World Cup tomorrow. We are competitors, we haven’t come to this World Cup for just a jolly. We have come to be the best we can.
“We got a chance to prepare for more than 30 days. I think it was necessary for us. Most of the Argentinian players play in Europe, so that is completely different. I think (the squad) worked in a fantastic way through preparation. Now we are aware about everything we need to know, we have experience (to take into the match with Argentina).
“The best result for us, is to think about the first game. We don’t have to project ourselves on the second or third if we lose tomorrow. We must be prepared for tomorrow, that is the most important thing.
“We know perfectly Qatar. Some may not be of this opinion, but we like this country. We can now enjoy our football in an environment we feel comfortable in.
“It’s great that everyone’s forgetting about us, it works in our favour. We are considered as the underdog, which is justified. It’s completely normal for people not to think about Saudi Arabia, but we are here to pull those prognoses apart. There are always surprises at a World Cup. We hope to be one of the pleasing ones.
“David can conquer Goliath, that’s the beauty of this sport. Surprises can happen.”
Abdullah Al-Malki – Saudi Arabia midfielder
“We have prepared well for this World Cup. We are at a good level, and hopefully we can present ourselves well for our country tomorrow.
“Argentina are one of the strongest teams in the world. There is (still) an opportunity for us however, we will give our best to compete.”
PREDICTIONS
Scott McIntyre
Argentina 3-0 Saudi Arabia
Martin Lowe
Argentina 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Michael Church
Argentina 5-0 Saudi Arabia
Paul Williams
Argentina 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Photo: twitter/SaudiNT_EN
