Alert: KSA-WCQ Russia 2018

Buy why Saudi home game in a neutral venue ?... Saudi don't have any political rift with Iraq while there's no security risk in playing in Jeddah. Is it because Saudi did not played in Iraq's choice Tehran that Iraq declined to play in Saudi home ground ?... We understand Saudi point that playing in Tehran was not possible due to tension between the 2 countries but playing in Saudi shouldn't be a problem.

Anyhow, if the game is to be played in neutral venue (if decided by CAS) then I guess playing in Bahrain is better option for Saudi than playing in any other country since Saudi fans can cross the border to support the national team.

 

Because it's not Iraq's problem that Saudi Arabia refused to travel to Iran. According to the rules, it means forfeit thus a 3-0 win for Iraq but that didn't happen, so 2 neutral games now.

 

As far as I know, Saudi Arabia refused to go to Iran on the grounds that they can't guarantee their safety, if the rules say that SA will have to forfeit the match then please post the link to that rule. I'm not 100% sure but I think in similar cases the 2 sides will play the games in 2 (or 1) neutral locations, just like how it went for the Irani and Saudi clubs in ACL.

 

I'm not 100% sure of the rule though. Anyway, in 2001 the same thing happened. Saudi Arabia refused to travel to Baghdad due to tensions with Saddam Hussein's regime, so KSA's home game was moved to Bahrain, Iraq's home game was played in Amma.

 

Yeah, so I expect the same thing to happen as the match won't be played in Jeddah but maybe somewhere like Qatar, Oman, Jordan...

 

The game shouldn't be moved from Jeddah.
Tehran is not in Iraq. So the Iraqi's were not deprived of a "home" match against Saudi. ALL their home games were played in a neutral venue. So as retarded Saudi-Iranian tensions are, it's all moot.

If Japan can play Iraq at home, so can we.

 

Japan would play in Iran vs Iraq so they can have a home advantage because many Iraqis can go to Iran very easy. To be fair I think Saudis should play somewhere like Qatar or UAE to keep the fair play.

 

I don't think coach is considering him.

 

Mansour Alharbi's defeding is terrible, Yasser Alshahrani should start in his place. Alburaik probably makes the best crosses in the league but honestly I trust Hasan more than him in a game like this one.

Alruwaili was very poor vs. Ittihad & didn't start for the NT yet and I don't know about Awad Khamees' ( although I like him) and Sharaheeli's performances but judging by Nassr fans outrage it seems they aren't having a good days so I hope Salman Alfaraj is fit to continue partnering Alkhaibari.

BTW it's great to have Alsahlawi back. I think he is the most consistent player in NT over the last few years.

 

Who ever plays, I believe that KSA should see the match of U19 team against Japan and see how they played against Japan. KSA had long ball approach against Japan (which was almost successful) while Japan hardly had any decent attack on Saudi goal. Saudi should play in similar way and hopefully, chance will come from somewhere on which Saudi player(s) have to capitalize and score, and defend tight. If you congest the D of the penalty box then Japan cannot shoot on goal, if your goal keeper is alert for any aerial ball near the 6 yard line in the box then Japan cannot head the ball towards the goal. Also, Saudi should have 2 defenders on each pole on the corner kicks of Japan since Saudi goal keeper will need all the support he can get from the defenders on corners.
Also, Japanese Right Out player is very tricky and try to escape from the off-side line on the side line so Saudi Left Back has to very sharp, alert and fast to catch up. I hope Saudi coach has better plan for this game and all players technically alert since this is the do or die match, get 3 points and you are 80% through, get a draw and you are 70% through but Allah forbid if you lose than you are 40% through only since you have to play Japan in Saudi (which will again be a very tough game) and Australia in Australia, Thailand in Thailand, UAE in UAE, and Iraq in a Neutral Venue probably. Though Saudi has greatly created the pressure on top by winning 3 matches out of 4 which has also played a role in pressurizing other teams to get favourable result which is going to be very tough for most of them, and Saudi has advantage in this sense. Saudi should aim for a cautions victory and should play a neat attacking or counter-attacking game in patches.

 

Yeah, but when you want to play vs. Japan i.e. the continent's best team you have to play with your best players.

The fullbacks and the CM will have to bring their A game if the team want to come back with at least a point, I'm not optimistic but I hope I'll be surprised.

 

So, you mostly believe that Saudi will lose.

 

Unfortunately, yeah.

 

Least expectation with Saudi Team is good since Japan is having higher expectation and this will surely pressurize Japanese players, and Japanese will try to play offensive a lot in the 2nd half if the scoreline stays at a draw and this will surely provide opportunity to Saudi players to play fast counter-attacking game and take the opportunity to score and lead. I recon this will be somewhat similar to China vs Syria i.e., 0-1 victory.

 

http://www.goal.com/ar-sa/news/3038...ي-يمنع-آل-فتيل-من-الأخضر?ICID=HP_HN_HP_RI_0_3


So, Al Fatail is injured. Who will replace him now ?

 

now that the last round of matches of are over, it's now time for all the players to concentrate on the big match i.e., Japan vs Saudi Arabia

I hope the team is mentally and technically prepared.

 

After reading thoughts, comments and pre-game approach of Japanese National Team players including Japan's coach, it is clear that Japan is going to go for all-out-attack against Saudi Arabia, and will try to put KSA on the back-foot early on. The best option for KSA is NOT to play safe (i.e., go on defensive) but the best option is to play Fast Counter-Attacking game, and take the opportunity on set pieces as and when they come. Saudi should play against Japan as Japanese play against any opponent i.e., fast movement, crazy 1-touch and tight angle passes, zic-zac passes and crosses and all the crazy stuff that Japanese do.
Saudi should also practice corner and set-piece in these preparation days. A specialist in terms of set-piece is either Al Braik, 2nd is Al Rowaili, 3rd are Abid / Yahya.
Saudi should also practice corner kicks and head on goal in the corner kicks (not in their own net but for scoring in opponents net ... )

 

After reviewing Japan's various world cup qualifying matches, I think "Long Ball" can also be effective against Japan i.e., just like Fahad Al Muallad's goal against UAE on long ball.

 

How many Saudis on here think that Saudi Arabia will make it to Russia?