Reaction: Saudi Arabia World Cup squad announced
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by Bobo
Saudi Arabia, as ever, are one of the proudest teams in the World Cup finals. Their performance at USA 94 was legendary, as they reached the second round of the competition for the first time in their history. And, should they achieve the same thing once again, expect honours all round from all those involved.
This time around, they qualified with a solid 3-0 victory against Uzbekistan, though with the previous World Cup still haunting them, with the 8-0 scoreline against Germany barely doing them justice, they will be looking for suitable revenge this time around. And, as we all know, revenge is a dish best served green.
The Saudi's main goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Daeyea was made even more legendary by the fact that he nearly signed for Premiership super-power Manchester United, after helping the Saudis to their second round placing. He is also the world leader in international appearances for his team, which, although currently standing at 181, is likely to rise once these finals are over. And with still some playing days left in him, these finals are looking all the more positive for his style of play.
Ahmed Al-Dokhi currently plays in the Saudi leagues for Al Ittihad, but he was also part of the 2000 AFC Super Cup winners, Al Hilal's team at the time of their famous victory. Since moving to Al Ittihad, he has helped them win the AFC Champions League. He plays sweetly down the right flank and crosses like no other member of the team.
Redha Tukar started his career in the Saudi second division before moving up to the big time. He helps build a solid defensive wall consisting of himself and his teammate, the 2005 Asian Player of the year.
That young man's name, the name that resounds around all Saudi stadia, is that of Hamad Al Montashari. The 2005 Asian Footballer of the Year has won the Champions League twice in succession with Al-Ittihad. True spokesman for the team, he is never one to get afraid of talking to the press, and his skill in defense has landed him offers of contracts even from European sides.
Complete polar opposite to Montashari, is the calm, almost hypnotic figure of Naif Al Qadi, whose two spectacular international goals thus far in his career are worthy of discussion. Previously unable to make it into the final squad, four years ago, he might have seen that as somewhat upsetting, but now he finally gets his chance.
Omar Al Ghamdi was in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup squad which finished as runners up to Lebanon, and his mobile attitude means that he can play in almost any defensive position to great effect. He soon was to come through the ranks of Saudi football at Al Ittihad, but made a switch to their rivals Al Hilal just after his success in the Asian Cup.
Moderately tall, spindly, but with youth on his side, Mohammed Ameen is exactly the player that was required by the Saudi team to act as the replacement for the legendary Hamza Idreese, and one of the key players who aided Sri Lankan qualification for this World Cup.
Mohammed Noor first brought his style of powerful, but not aggressive play, to the ranks of Al Ittihad in 1998, and has brought with him a host of honours, including the Champions League, Asian Cup, Arab Cup and the Gulf Cup. He took part in the first half of qualification for this competition, later choosing to rest up prepared for action this time around.
Sami Al Jaber was another member of the Saudi team which reached the second round of USA 94. He scored the opening goal from the penalty spot as they beat Morocco to secure their spot as group winners. Having been scouted at Al Hilal, for a short period, Al Jaber joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, though he failed to make an impact. Despite deciding to retire from international football after 2002, he was lured back in 2005 to qualify for this tournament.
Mohammad Al Shlhoub, known in his home country as "Maradona Junior", has managed to capture the attentions of the selecting committee as he tries to become one of the key members of this year's squad. With his hat trick against Uzbekistan still fresh in the memory of Saudi fans after six years, he is looking to impress once again, and the man who was, in 2002, the smallest player to take part on the pitch, could easily sustain this record once again.
Forward Saad Al Harthi has not captured a regular place in his own team at Al Nasr, let alone a place within the Saudi starting eleven, but this merely means that this surprising midfielder has little expectation on his shoulders, and that he can fairly go about his business with little pressure from those who are concerned about players' performances.
The bearded Abdulaziz Khathran made his first appearance for the Saudi team in 2002, and the leftback, currently the oldest member of the Saudi squad, has brought leadership qualities to his domestic team, Al Hilal, since joining in 2003, which he will hope to emulate at some point during this tournament.
Hussein Sulimani appeared at both France 98 and Korea/Japan 2002 and thus will be making his third World Cup final appearance this year. Playing the important role of left-sided midfielder, his dangerous crossing is a match for any member of the Saudi squad, and is a worry for any defence in his way.
Midfielder Saud Khariri joined top side Al Ittihad in 2004, and despite appearing in the Asian Cup squad during the same year, was unable to make more than two starts for the team. He later played in the FIFA World Club Championship for his team in 2005, and the combative player most recently excelled in the World Cup qualifying stages, scoring once, and accruing four yellow cards in his seven matches. Harassing in nature, he will be looking to chase any opposing player who gets in his way.
Ahmed Al Bahri, who plays for Al Shabab, having moved there from Al Ittifaq in 2005, is a solid midfielder who excelled during the qualifying stages of this tournament despite failing to score throughout. He participated in the FIFA World Youth Championship for the Saudis in 1999, and he has an impressive record of having never lost a game playing for the Saudi Arabian national side.
Khaled Aziz, Al Hilal midfielder, first played for the Saudis against Turkmenistan in 2004, and with his aggressive style of play, he is not afraid to give his body an absolute pounding for the sake of football. He played in six games in the qualification round for the World Cup, during which time the Saudis only let one goal slip through their grasp.
With a nickname like the "Ronaldinho of Arabia", Mohammed Al Anbar has a lot to live up to, but is still one of the main strikers and most elegant players in his country. With Al Jaber coming closer and closer to his retirement, Anbar looks most likely to be the player who succeeds him as the mainstay of the Arabian strikeforce.
Nawaf Al Temyat has 56 international caps as of this moment, and has acquired legendary status as a one-club man, having stayed at his sole club, Al Hilal, since 1993. He later won the AFP Player of the Year award in 2000 when he moved to Lebanon, before he fell out of favour immediately prior to the World Cup tournament in 2002, where he did not appear. Re-established within the squad in 2005, he has now got a second chance to prove his worth within the team.
Mohammad Massad is one of the youngest players within this World Cup squad, and has impressed his coach with his versatility, being able to play as a right-sided defender or a midfielder, with options as a centre-back or even as a left-back. Having seen his brother, Khaled Massad reach the second round of USA '94, he is keen to perform to the same expectations.
Yaser Al Kahtani is hoping to storm this World Cup, with his impressive dribbling skills and his phenomenal sense of speed and stamina. He creates so many goals from his darting runs that he has become something of a legend within the Saudi dressing room, and he is one of the players most likely to make it out of his home country after this tournament has come to a close.
Second goalkeeper Zaid Mabrouk first played for the Saudi Arabians in March 2004, and was the goalkeeper who watched from the bench as his teammates let in eight against Germany. He will be keen to see some play and to not let this happen once again during this tournament.
Third-string goalkeeper, Al Shabab's Mohammad Khojah, has eight international caps, and helped his team Al Shabab win the league title this year. His long hair and calls to come out from past his line and past his defence makes his appearances in the team instantly noticeable. However, he is most likely to be left on the sidelines or worse still, watching fm the dressing room during this tournament.
Last, but by no means least, Malek Mouath, whose performances for Al Ahli earned him a first-team place this year, after finishing one of the leading scorers of the season past. Despite beginning his career as a midfielder, he moved to the realms of strikerdom within a season of joining Al Ahli, and has never looked back. Therefore, if he improves his play around the pitch, and gives more of a chance to his young teammates, he stands a chance of becoming one of the most distinguishable Saudi players in the team.
Pride is not all these boys are hoping for. Twelve years ago they outperformed themselves, and they have every chance to do so again. With emotions running high, where will the young guns land this year?
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