Five lessons from Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup qualification

Saudi Arabia will take part in the World Cup for the sixth time.

On Thursday followingnoon, its qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was confirmed following Japan’s victory over Australia (2-0) in Sydney and, later in the day, the draw (1-1 ) of the Green Falcons (the nickname of the Saudi players, editor’s note) once morest China in Sharjah.

Hervé Renard, his players and all the Saudi fans can now be enthusiastic regarding the idea of ​​spending the next winter in Doha.

Here are five things we learned regarding their successful qualifying campaign.

1. The Green Falcons were through even before playing the game once morest China

Saudi Arabia had only to emulate what Australia did once morest Japan to qualify for a sixth World Cup. With one minute remaining in regulation time, the score was still goalless, but Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma, the star of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, currently on loan to Belgium, entered the field and scored two goals in four minutes. The Green Falcons didn’t ask for more: they were qualified.

Their coach, Hervé Renard, was forced to prepare his team in a strange atmosphere: there were no fans in the stadium. The players had to cut the celebrations short and just play their game. Under such circumstances, the draw probably suited both teams: while China were happy to avoid a loss once morest one of the best teams in the group, Saudi Arabia avoided losing once morest a struggling team.

Still, securing a place at the World Cup with two games left to play is something to be proud of. There was no pressure at the end of the match: everything had become easier thanks to the victory of Japan, finally.

2. The point won in Australia revealed the team’s state of mind

There were some famous wins on the road to Qatar, but it was a 0-0 draw in Sydney last November that really showed the team were showing a new spirit . Saudi Arabia had won the first four group matches before the trip to Australia, while the Aussies had just lost in Japan and were desperate to grab the three points. On the spot, most people thought they would get them, because the Saudis had often measured themselves once morest the Socceroos (Australian footballers, editor’s note) in the past.

However, on a wet night, the visitors fought for a point. Australia gave their all, but the quality of the Saudi defense was such that the home side were reduced to sending long balls forward. Over time, Saudi Arabia, deprived of several players, started to create chances and in the end found themselves in a position to score.

It was a message for the rest of the group and for the fans at home: Saudi Arabia might go anywhere in Asia and score points. They also maintained their lead over Australia, which was to prove crucial.

3. Attackers have risen to the occasion on several occasions

Everyone knows, and this author has mentioned it on more than one occasion, that Saudi Arabia lacks strikers. Every club team is able to import top-notch attacking talent from around the world, which doesn’t give the locals many opportunities, nor the national team coach many options.

However, Renard trusted Saleh al-Shehri and Firas al-Buraikan to lead the way, and they showed they were well-deserved of that trust. Together they scored seven of Saudi Arabia’s eleven goals in the group stage. Salem al-Dawsari and Salman al-Faraj often make the headlines, and rightly so. However, once morest China, it was Al-Shehri who scored. In their crucial home win once morest Japan, it was his youngest compatriot who did the work. Both won their ticket to Qatar and it will be exciting to discover their performances.

4. The last meeting once morest China will not be remembered, but the first match was exciting

If the point scored in Australia showed that Saudi Arabia were capable of fighting for results, the highlight of the group stage is this: the Green Falcons had three out of three wins to their name when China are arrival in Jeddah. The prospect of a fourth victory has generated excitement.

But what really impressed were the 55,000 supporters present in Jeddah. They helped to make the evening unforgettable, to make this match one of those great moments that we had missed so much during the pandemic, one of those shared experiences that all teams need and that are likely to inspire players. in the field.

If two goals from the unlikely Sami al-Najei had seemed to seal the game, a Chinese burst changed things abruptly shortly following the break. Firas al-Buraikan put his team two goals ahead, but 20 minutes from time goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais suffered an injury. His replacement, Fawaz al-Qarni, unfortunately made a mistake, which allowed China to close the gap. At 3-2 in favor of the Green Falcons, nerves were raw, and the ten minutes of additional time did not help matters. But Saudi Arabia hung on and ended up winning a capital, splendid, exhilarating victory.

5. The team has improved over the months

With the exception of a loss to Japan, due in part to one of coach Hervé Renard’s rare missteps – his tactical changes seemed to disorient his players rather than inspire them – this team has not ceased to impress, as it improved over the months. The more time the Frenchman spent with his players, the more his choices paid off.

After taking office in 2019, it took time for the effects of his appointment to be felt. The disruptions linked to the pandemic obviously did not help matters. Yet while performance in earlier rounds has been uneven, the final group stage, once morest better sides, showed Saudi Arabia are capable of playing under pressure.

It is remarkable to note that when some players were absent, the substitutes who came on were efficient, ensuring that the level of performance of the team remained the same.

This text is the translation of an article published on Arabnews.com