This last summer’s World Cup will go down in history as the AFC’s strongest showing on the world stage. Saudi Arabia’s performances in Russia both helped and hindered that record, bouncing back from a 5-0 humbling at the hands of the hosts, to beat a Mohammed Salah-led Egypt side in their final match. From zeros to heroes in a matter of weeks, Asian football fans can feel particularly relieved that the sequence of events occurred in that order, as we’re about to be served up another dose of Juan Antonio Pizzi attacking play this January.
The coach, and the reformed Green Falcons he inherited, drew plenty of positive reviews on the run up to the World Cup, only to be indiscriminately disregarded at the first hurdle. As was predicted, the strict possession-based football that Pizzi urges from his squad, something so alien from previous regimes, was a high-risk approach, that was either going to prove successful immediately or crash into flames.
Months on from their World Cup exit, the true extent of the way Saudi Arabia played has rarely been discussed outside the region. This is understandable to a degree, given the muted image of the team in Europe, and the fact they failed in progressing out of the group stage. However, the football they played in those opening group phases (of the Russia encounter in particular) was some of the boldest and most unexpected of the first round.
The balance was always going to compromised given where they started from. Saudi football has only just began to start rearing its head from its own naval to integrate with world football in the last year. Last winter’s loan moves to Spain for a few Saudi internationals, clearly had its benefits in the short term (Salem Al-Dawsari & Yahya Al-Shehri’s sharpness in Russia was quickly visible), yet the last-minute process meant we only saw a project in it’s infancy. To their credit the SFF realised this to be the case. Firing Pizzi upon their exit, a move in isolation which wouldn’t have been entirely unforeseeable, would’ve set football in the country back another four years.
Heading to the Asian Cup this January, Saudi Arabia can point to two factors that have improved over the last six months. One being merely the time elapsed, Pizzi has had longer to integrate his philosophy and run the rule over his playing staff. The other; the standard of opposition has considerably dropped. Playing such a high risk, possession hungry style of football against the world’s elite is always going to end spectacularly. Playing such a style where you’re technically superior, should start to provide results.
Not that this has proven to be the case thus far in preparation however, drawing to Bolivia and Iraq either side of defeat to Brazil, before a pair of pretty drab performances against Yemen and Jordan in November. The philosophy for the time being is clearly of greater importance than the results on the board, but it will be a nagging concern going into the Asian Cup, that Pizzi’s Saudi side have failed to comfortably ease past any kind of opposition to date.
The team’s greatest strength remains in the middle of the park. Salman Al-Faraj made a name for himself in Russia, demonstrating clever movement, an eye for a quick pass, and calmness under pressure. Just imagine, if he’d been asked to take up this role earlier in his career? Next to him, Abdullah Otayf provided the perfect foil; not so inventive in possession, but busy, tough and a general nuisance in winning possession back for Al-Faraj to wield from deep.
For all their proficiency in centre midfield, tying back to front has been incredibly laboured. Centre backs and forwards, used to quick direct plays, bypassing the midfield were left looking clumsy, stagnated and too often in no man’s land. Over Pizzi’s tenure, this has been an area that has been slow in improvement, with the individual players’ technical ability either proving to be the key turning points or ever increasingly the limiting factors.
Osama Hawsawi, the legendary Saudi captain who embodied the old national team mindset, for all his merits wasn’t befitting of the requirements of the new style of play. His retirement after the World Cup opens the possibility of a new partnership being formed, something that is still under construction on the eve of the Asian Cup. Motaz Hawsawi and Ali Albulayhi came out of Russia in a good light, while there is still a persistence to field the third Hawsawi; Omar, despite a summer to forget.
In attack, there’s even more uncertainty. While the support roles feel comfortable in their abundance, the leading man in attack remains a big question mark. Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, top scorer in qualification demonstrably doesn’t have the open play game to succeed in attacking build-up play but does have the pedigree continentally to finish off chances when they come his way. The other two to have been tested with any sort of regularity; Abdulfattajh Adam and Mohanad Aseri did little to illustrate they can offer any more.
Two intriguing last-minute options take inspiration from Saudi football past and future. Nasser Al-Shamrani, the 34-year-old veteran has started the season in promising form for Al-Shabab, while admittedly offering a mere penalty box presence such as Al-Sahlawi, he has the pedigree to succeed. Secondly, young Al-Qadsiah striker Harouna Camara is the talk the town. The 20-year-old who only broke through domestically at the end of last season, impressed in bursts at the Asian Games, but has yet to illustrate consistency or Pizzi’s full trust in him.
The future looks bright in general for Saudi football. Champions at U19 level in the last few months, coupled with their U19 final appearance and U20 World Cup knockout stages run for the cohort previous, all alludes to the crop of talent ready to break through. Faris Al-Burakain and Abdulrahman Ghareeb, two of the breakout stars on display in Indonesia, have already been called up by Pizzi in November despite having only featured a handful of times for their club sides.
Plenty to think about then ahead of the UAE, but for neutrals at least it offers up a tantalising chance that Saudi Arabia could provide some of the most exciting football the tournament has to offer. Ignoring a potentially highly charged match with Qatar, the schedule pits the Saudis as clear favourites to escape the group. Finding the right balance between defence and attack will be the key task for the coach (as it was in Russia), to truly assess if this side can really challenge for latter tournament honours.
Key Men
Head Coach - Juan Antonio Pizzi (ESP)
Highly thought of manager, who survived an embarrassing first day battering at the World Cup to exit the tournament with some admirers. The former Chile coach fully entrusts his players in possession, a complete change from Saudi Arabian football of the past. While the football is considerably more pleasing aesthetically, doubts remain whether the players at his disposal can provide success in terms of results.
Star Player - Salman Al-Faraj
Lanky yet cultured centre midfielder who has excelled in Pizzi’s short term as coach. Previously criticised for his lack of physicality and attacking ventures, Al-Faraj impressive ball retention and chance creation, in particular on show at the World Cup has made him integral to this the new Saudi Arabian team. Has finished on the losing side in two Asian Champions League finals.
Under Pressure - Fahad Al-Muwallad
An enigma, who on his day is one of the most devastating attacking players in the whole of Asia. Has rarely found his feet under Pizzi, either playing out of position in the lone front man role or lacking the technical ability to cope with a possession hungry approach. An excellent impact substitute, who scored the winning goal that sealed World Cup qualification.
Young Prospect - Haroune Camara
Broke onto the scene at the end of last season, with an emphatic scoring run with Al-Qadsiah, but has started the current campaign in less prolific form. The 20-year-old impressed at the Asian Games in August, in spurts, scoring a hat-trick against China, but has yet to demonstrate the consistency required to become the leading man under Pizzi.
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