The 51st-ranked team in the world, which was the second lowest-ranked team to qualify for this year’s FIFA World Cup, should be very confident after defeating Korea Republic, which was ranked No. 24.
The good news for the Green Falcons is that following their qualifying campaign, they got the chance to play a variety of pre-tournament friendlies, several of which were against teams going to Qatar. The club only scored goals four times in nine games, which is poor news.
Hervé Renard, the manager who guided both the Ivory Coast and Zambia to victories in the Africa Cup of Nations, is currently at his first World Cup. He took over a team that has only ever advanced to the knockout round once, in 1994.
The 2018 team’s talent doesn’t compare to the majority of those on the pitch, but it is a collection of players that are acquainted with one another (most play in the Saudi Pro League), and many of them have World Cup experience from the previous year. To lead this team on a charge at Qatar, Renard will have to work more of his tournament magic.
Saudi Arabia’s Group C fixtures
22 November
Argentina-Saudi Arabia (13:00 local time, Lusail Stadium)
26 November
Poland-Saudi Arabia (16:00 local time, Education City Stadium)
30 November
Saudi Arabia-Mexico (22:00 local time, Lusail Stadium)
Herve Renard’s Strategy and Methods
It is expected that the Frenchman, who coached Morocco at the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018TM, will play in Qatar in his customary direct, offensive manner. In the competition four years ago, Renard, a former head coach of Zambia and Ivory Coast, came close to orchestrating Morocco’s victory over Spain by scoring an equalizer in stoppage time.
In addition, he led Zambia to victory at the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations over all odds. Renard’s favoured formation is the 4-3-2-1 system he frequently utilized throughout Qatar 2022 qualifying; but, for the June and September warm-up games, he chose a 4-3-3 system.
Key Player: Salem Al-Dawsari
Renard places a lot of trust in the speed and ball-handling skills of his wingers, particularly Salem Al-Dawsari, the Green Falcons’ best player. Due to his talent and the form, he has shown for both his club, Al Hilal, and the national team, Al-Dawsari is expected to play a key role in Qatar.
Al Dawsari has a gift for making the decisive final passes that win games. He is capable of playing practically any position in attack, including the left side, right wing, attacking midfielder, and second centre-forward. The final Qatar 2022 qualifying match between Australia and Saudi Arabia was ended by his successful conversion of the penalty kick.
Al-Dawsari, who is considered to be the most valuable player in the 2021 AFC Champions League, needs two goals to tie Sami Al-record Jaber’s World Cup record of three goals for Saudi Arabia. The forward, who missed his team’s preseason matches in September, is anticipated to return in time for Qatar 2022 and is predicted to grow into one of Saudi Arabia’s most crucial players.
Watch Out for Firas Al-Buraikan
One of the younger players for Saudi Arabia, 22-year-old Al-Buraikan, seems destined for a protracted international career; this suspicion is confirmed by the fact that he is one of the few native centre forwards playing in Saudi domestic football.
Al-Buraikan received his first cap in October 2019, and Renard put a lot of time and effort on getting him ready for Qatar 2022. Al-Buraikan was the best Saudi marksman in the national league last year. He works hard to develop the play and is a quick runner down the sides, which is ideal for Renard’s tactic. He will be the centre of attention in Qatar.
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup Performance
In their five World Cup appearances, the Green Falcons have only made it past the group stage once, in USA 1994, where they made their tournament debut. The Saudis were the second-most successful side in AFC Asian Cup history and finished second at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992, but they have struggled to carry their confederation success over to the international stage.
Only Tunisia and Morocco have played in more World Cups, but the Saudis are hoping that their sixth appearance will be more successful than their previous campaigns in 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2018, and that their French coach will be able to guide them into the knockout phase.
The 16 World Cup games Saudi Arabia has participated in thus far have resulted in just three victories and 11 goals. With three targets, Sami Al-Jaber is their best shooter in the contest. The only Saudi player to score at more than one World Cup is Al-Jaber, who scored goals at the USA, France, and Germany World Cups.
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