Playing for 90
Fansided

World Cup Group A preview: Can Saudi Arabia stage an upset?

By Shawn Ivan D'souza

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - MARCH 27: The Saudi Arabia team line up during the international friendly match between Belgium and Saudi Arabia at the King Baudouin Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - MARCH 27: The Saudi Arabia team line up during the international friendly match between Belgium and Saudi Arabia at the King Baudouin Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The World Cup is around the corner and here is our preview on Group A underdogs, Saudi Arabia.

Russia is set to host the biggest sports event of the year this summer. The 2018 FIFA World Cup is poised to be a great tournament as 32 teams look to achieve national success.

Arab nations have always been minnows in such tournament but Saudi Arabia will be looking to change the notion this summer.

Qualification Road: The Arab nation were up against Japan, Australia and UAE in a strong AFC qualification group.

They managed to finish second in their group, beating the Aussies on goal difference to secure direct qualification to Russia.

Last appearance: Saudi Arabia will be making their return to the tournament after a wait of 8 years.

The Green Falcons made it to the 2006 World Cup in Germany and were drawn against Spain, Ukraine and Tunisia. They went out of the tournament after the group stages having only 1 point to their name.

Best Performance: 1994 was the first time they made it to the World Cup and coincidentally its best performance.

Saudi beat Belgium and Morocco but lost to the Netherlands to finish 2nd in the group stages. In the Round of 16, they were comfortably beaten 3-1 by a strong Swedish side.

Manager: Saudi are managed by former Spanish striker, Juan Antonio Pizzi. Originally from Argentina, the 50-year old had a successful time with Chile, winning 2016 Copa América Centenario.

He was part of the South American side that made it to the finals of the 2017 Confederations Cup. But the loss to Germany saw him resign from the post.

In November 2017, he was announced to be the manager of Saudi Arabia and got his chance to participate in the World Cup 2018.

Star Player: With doubt, Mohammad Al-Sahlawi is Saudi Arabia’s star player. He scored 16 goals for the Greens in the qualifications, finishing as joint-top scorer. The nation will be hoping that the striker can continue his form in Russia this summer.

Prediction: Saudi are the underdogs of the group. But a win on opening day against Russia will surely do well for their confidence. At this stage, it is unlikely that they will make it out of the group stages.

Next: Three players who can guide Argentina to glory

How far do you think Saudi Arabia will go in this year’s World Cup?

Home/World Cup