So any one watching how cool our U-19 team playing and have qualified to the WC and Finals of the Asian Cup against South Korea.
Since there's no major tournament in near future while World Cup 2022 qualification will also start by end of next years so it's safe to say that there won't be any national team activity for sometime hence, there's no need to hire any new coach as of now. A caretaker local Saudi coach should do the trick such as, if chance be given, Majid Abdullah OR Sami Al Jaber...
I would prefer much early appointment, let the coach come down settle in & scout for players and organise training camps without any friendlies & get the team used to his tactics & mentality...
I believe that instead of scouting for totally fresh new foreign coach who had never been to Saudi Arabia, it would be better if Saudi FA appoints a coach who would have had already spend considerable time in Saudi Arabia coaching any major clubs such as Syberia, etc. the coach would already be aware of saudi players mentality, playing style, etc. and it would be easier to scout for new players by him.
So we hit the panic button and decided to have Herve Renard as new coach of Saudi NT. His achievements with NT's is noteworthy, winning African Cup with 2 different nations Zambia and Ivory Coast and guiding Morocco to WC after years. But I don't see him last long in the hot seat.
It's still the best option for KSA right? Look at the era under Marwijk. He completely transformed the team and qualified you guys for the first time since 2006.
No, considering we had too many options & everyone were backing out, so now we got who was readily available & can join on hefty fee and get sacked after couple of matches. He won't survive for long
Saudi U-23 just qualified to quaterfinals of Asian Cup U-23 which is being held in Thailand currently. Firas Birkan and Abdullah Hamdan are mainly to striking options for the team currently who have scored only 1 goal between them which was by Birikan yesterday against Syria. The question arises here is first we thought maybe these strikers are too young to be presented for the NT & had accepted the excuse but now since they are not upto the mark in U-23 level too this rings the alarm bells again in future who will be leading the striking force for the NT if we are completely relying on these two. Abdul Rahman Ghuraib is stand out so far along with Saudi Abdul Hamid, Hassan Tumbakti and Ayman Khulaif. They next meet Thailand on Saturday for the quarterfinal match
Saleh Al Shehri (Al-Hilal) is proving to be "QANNAS" and striker what Saudi Arabia is looking for... He scored in all the games that he played for Al-Hilal as Sub, and also scored in the games that he started from the beginning... Saleh Al Shehri is in form striker and has eye for goal
KSA U-23 one step away from qualifying to Tokyo Olympics after defeating Thailand 1-0 in quarterfinals & now will meet winners of UAE vs Uzbekistan match today.
He should be fast tracked to the NT but I fear displacing Abdullah Hamdan or Firas would dis balance the team
Uzbekistan totally destroyed UAE today with 5-1 scoreline. Saudi Arabia has a very tough opponent in the Semi-Final. Uzbekistan is in form team and a very strong team in the tournament, parallel to South Korea & Australia. Now is the real test for the Saudi U23 National Team... Uzbekistan is playing as one unit
Saudi defense is being excellent so far under Hassan Tumbakti. It would be fruitful to watch them against Uzbekistan. If they avoid missing easy chances like they did against Syria and Thailand then have a chance..
Saudi U-23 Qualifies for Olympics after decades by beating Uzbekistan 1-0 & also qualifies for finals & will meet winners of match between Australia and South Korea. I repeat again Hassan Tumbakti is next big defender upcoming for NT.
Al Hilal and Al Nassr has both reached the semifinal. Whoever wins will face the winner of East Asia in the Final.
One of the most highly anticipated encounters between the two in recent years. Will leave a scar on any team which looses.
Youssef Al-Salem (F16) Al-Hilal player passed away today due to unknown illness he was nursing. May Allah have mercy on departed soul and give patience to all family members, A'meen