Squad
Saudi Arabias victory over Greece was the Green Falcons third in six matches under new manager Juan Antonio Pizzi. The Argentinian is the third Saudi Arabia coach in less than a year, following Bert van Marwijk – who led the Arabians to FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification – and Edgardo Bauza – who replaced van Marwijk but lasted only two months.
Despite the fact that Green Falcons are the lowest ranked team (no.70) of the 32 Russia 2018 finalists, they still have an interesting roster featuring some good footballers. Three of them Fahad Al-Muwallad, Salem Al Dawsari and Yahya Al-Shehri – have been part of the core of nine players that Saudi Federation sent on loan to La Liga last January in order to gain experience at a higher level. This movement didn’t work as these guys never played but they still gained some needed experience practising with Spanish clubs.
In front of goalkeeper, Al Mosailem, Pizzi should line up a four-man backline featuring the team’s captain Osama Hawsawi and Omar Hawsawi as centre-backs. Yasser Al-Shahrani of Al Hilal and Al Ahli’s Mansoor Al-Harbi should be start as full-backs while Abdullah Otayf (Al Hilal) and Taiseer Al-Jassim (Al Ahli) should be the starting duo in the middle of the pitch.
On the flanks, Pizzi could start the competition with Levante’s Al-Muwallad on the right-side and with Al-Dawsari (Villarreal) on the left. They are different players with Al-Muwallad being more an attacking winger whilst Al-Dawsari is more a midfielder.
Another ‘Spaniard
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