TOKYO, 28 May — A determined, content and almost injury-free Saudi Arabian team are confident of making significant progress at the World Cup, according to Prince Turki ibn Khalid, who supervises the squad.

After a dismal performance in France four years ago, the Gulf side are determined to get past the tournament’s first round, Prince Turki, head of the national team delegation, told Reuters.

"Our secret weapon is the Saudi attitude — our refusal to lose. We consider the World Cup to be our stage to show the world our football and we have good faith in our players," he said.

Their aim is to equal or better their achievement in 1994 when they became the first Asian team to reach the second round since North Korea in 1966.

While viewed as the number one team in the region after winning the Gulf Cup earlier this year, Saudi Arabia nevertheless face a daunting task. Drawn in Group E with Germany, Ireland and Cameroon, their chances of progression seem slim.

But guided by coach Nasir Al-Jowhar, now firmly in the top spot after playing second fiddle to a series of unsuccessful foreign managers, the squad have established a solid team spirit which, Prince Turki says, will spur them into the next phase.

"The coach is our danger man. The players like him very much, they think of him as a father figure," he said. "We have no diamonds — we play as a group and all the players are heroes.

"If we play our game and give it all, then we could go all the way. But there is no way we’ll win unless we do our best and give it 110 percent."

Prince Turki warned opponents that the "Sons of the Desert," as Saudi Arabia are referred to in footballing circles, will be no pushover.

"I’m sure we’ll play good games and we certainly won’t be an easy team to face," he said. "I wouldn’t consider us the weakest of our group. Perhaps we are not as physical as Cameroon, Germany and Ireland but we don’t plan to play their way. We have other strengths which will give us the edge.

"If the others want to beat Saudi Arabia then they will have to play at their best and Saudi Arabia at their worst. We’ve had big games in the past so our players are used to it. All we need is God’s blessing — and a bit of luck."

Luck appears to be on their side so far, with all players fit apart from reserve goalkeeper Mohammed Babkr who has a hand injury.

With fierce competition for places in the starting lineup, the mood at the team hotel ahead of their first match — against Germany in Sapporo on June 1 — is one of eager anticipation. "The team cannot wait for the World Cup to start. They are so anxious. Everyone is in a good mood but everyone is fighting hard for a starting position," Prince Turki said.

Despite the disappointment of 1998, Saudi Arabia are in the World Cup finals for the third straight time — a feat unmatched by any other Arab country.

Hopes are high that their performance this time will be reminiscent of 1994, best remembered for striker Saeed Owairan’s stunning solo goal against Belgium.

"One of the best goals in the 1994 World Cup was scored by Saudi Arabia. We hope we can do something similar this time round," Prince Turki said.

Italy and Croatia players

given random drug tests

Italy and Croatia each had four players selected for drug tests by FIFA yesterday in what was believed to be the first time world soccer’s governing body had carried out random checks before the start of a World Cup.

Players have been tested for banned substances in the past after matches at the tournament. But FIFA said the 2002 finals, which open on Friday, were witnessing the first random tests during training.

The surprise swoop on Italy’s training camp saw striker Filippo Inzaghi, goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, defender Fabio Cannavaro and midfielder Angelo Di Livio all take urine tests.

The Croatian players tested included strikers Alen Boksic and Goran Vlaovic and utility man Anthony Seric.