The Asian Game’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is proudly sponsored by SMC.
‘Where is Messi, where is Messi?’
Over and over the chant rang out as the tens of thousands of Saudi Arabia fans filed out of Lusail Stadium on what was the proudest day in that nation’s football history.
By many measure the 2-1 win over an Argentina side that entered the clash unbeaten in their past 36 matches is the biggest upset across the 92-year span of the World Cup.
As impressive as the result was, just as eye-catching was the performance from a Saudi side that showed other AFC nations that it’s possible to play with positivity and control if the fundamental technical qualities are already in place – regardless of the opponent.
What it also did was both restore the somewhat frayed reputation of Asian football that had arisen from the opening two days of competition whilst also showing the world that, yes, there is genuine quality on the continent.
That was clear in the crispness of both goals but equally as eye-catching was the composure, control and organisation defensively where Hassan Al-Tambakti was an immense presence.
As The Asian Game’s Martin Lowe has said, 23-year-old has been the best young central defender in Asia for the past couple of years and this was a breakthrough moment for the Al Shabab man.
His distribution, reading of the play and incision in one-on-one moments was outstanding throughout as were his teammates at the back and man-of-the-match, goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais.
This was a Saudi Arabia side that were prepared – outside of the final quarter hour where they were ahead and looked to close things down – to go toe-to-toe with one of the tournament favourites.
Lining up in a 4-1-4-1 formation the team was structurally disciplined in their pressing, prepared to play high up the pitch and patient on the ball, working the ball in tight spaces centrally and from wider positions.
It was a flourish in the proactive painting that Herve Renard has been undertaking for this side in the three years he’s been at the helm as the Green Falcons move away from chaos and aggression to a positive, possession-based and patient, brand of football.
It was a result and a performance that stunned the football world and one that could be the catalyst for a period of Saudi dominant on the continent.
THINGS WE LEARNED
This should be the moment where Saudi players are finally noticed abroad: Its remarkable to think that the entire Saudi squad that just took down one of the tournament heavyweights is entirely domestically based, but surely that won’t be the case after this tournament, regardless of how things play out from here. Al Tambakti, right back Saud Abdulhamid and forward Firas Al-Buraikan all caught the eye and all are at a prime age to move to Europe.
A positive mentality can make a huge difference: Unlike the approach adopted by Iran and to a lesser degree Qatar this was a Saudi side that was prepared to look to pit their technical qualities against a strong opponent on the biggest stage possible and they didn’t falter; it’s instructive that you don’t need to be reactive in these situations.
Injuries could play a part: One of the things that’s been overlooked in this stunning result was that Saudi Arabia played the entire second half without one of their better players in Salman Al-Faraj who was forced off with injury. Yasser Al-Shahrani also came off with a concussion and if that pair are missing for any period it will test the team’s depth.
WHAT THEY SAID
Herve Renard – Saudi Arabia coach
“All the stars in the sky were aligned for us, but don’t forget Argentina are still a fantastic team, this is football, sometimes totally crazy things can happen.
“We can just have a good celebration during 20 minutes and that’s all, there are still two more games.
“When you come to the World Cup, you need to believe in yourself, anything can happen in football.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
The immediate next for all Saudi citizens is a national holiday that was declared by King Salman after the victory, with all public and private employees, as well as school children, to have the day off.
For the team, the challenge is a Poland side coming off a scoreless draw against Mexico with the key question being will they alter their approach now that they are the unexpected table toppers.
