JEDDAH, 18 June — USA’s great determination to overcome a disappointing Mexico team and secure a place in the last eight for the first time since 1930 in the 2002 FIFA World Cup yesterday was the talk among soccer fans, especially Americans, across Saudi Arabia.

Most of them felt Brazil’s victory over Belgium was expected although there could have been an upset if the Belgians had netted some of their best moves. The USA victory over Mexico is the continuing saga of upsets in the current tournament and a majority of soccer fans in the Eastern Province, like those elsewhere in the Kingdom, believe some more upsets are in the offing in the run-up to the finals.

The American community in the Eastern Province was ecstatic over the way their country is scaling heights in the tournament. Aramco and US consulate compounds witnessed scenes of jubilation.

John Bryton of Illinois said: “The US team have proved they’re capable of making a great comeback. After their defeat by Poland 3-1 earlier in the tournament, many soccer fans had dismissed the US as favorites, but no more after their sterling performance against Mexico.”

Arthur Ellis, an oil field supplies company executive, said: “The US team’s current form is a wake-up call for Germans who will clash with them for a berth in the semis. We shocked the world with our fancied victory over Portugal 3-2. This was termed as a fluke after our defeat by Poland.”

Pete Starz of Saudi Aramco said: “The latest performance of Americans shows that they have learned a lesson from their shock defeat against Poland. Americans have strengthened their defense without undermining attack. It’s now a perfect balancing act of attack and defense. We’ll certainly pose a tough challenge to the Germans.”

Brian Longsworth, an engineer in a contracting company, said: “Their latest victory proves that the Americans have a definite mental frame...even to lift the cup. It may sound preposterous, but if the present trend is any indication the USA have emerged among the favorites. You’ve to view the US victory against the upsets experienced by France, Argentina and Portugal in the very first round.”

Moqbil Al-Sayyari, Gulf editor of Arriyadiyah, said: “The defeat of Mexico came as a shock. Initially, the Mexicans were overconfident and in the later stages of the game nervousness gripped them, and as a result they drew a blank. The Americans were all fired up. They were in a do or die situation. They played a very aggressive game with a fortified defense.”

In Jeddah, some Saudi soccer fans were disappointed by the Mexican defeat.

Sameer Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi accounts director at a PR company, said: “I like the way Mexico play. I don’t like the American style because they play like Europeans. They rely on fitness and not so much on skills. On the other hand, Mexico rely on skills. Unfortunately, teams that have better skills lost in the earlier part of the tournament like Argentina and France. Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, Senegal, Japan and Turkey are teams to watch as they rely on skills.”

Mohammed Bashir, an Indian secretary at Zaidan Est., said: “I’m an avid supporter of Brazil and their game style. I’m thrilled the way they played and won the match against Belgium. Of course, Belgium were unlucky to miss quite a few good chances.”

Brian Morris, a senior executive in a courier company, said: “After losing all three games at France 98, USA have responded with some excellent displays in Korea and Japan — and have been rewarded with a quarter-final tie against Germany. And their victory over Mexico is not only their first ever at the knockout stages of the World Cup but also their first clean sheet at a World Cup final since they beat England 1-0 in 1950. We’re proud of our team’s performance.”

Syed Ehsanul Haq, electrical engineer at EPS, Jeddah: “The USA played better than expected against Mexico. While Brazil maintained their tempo to reach the quarterfinals, we anticipate that they will be one of the favorites to lift the cup. Interesting parts of the tournament is the entry of Senegal and defeat of France.”

In Riyadh, Ali ibn Nasser Al-Sharif, managing editor of Arriyadiyah, said Brazil’s victory over underdog Belgium was expected, although the Belgians missed some chances. He praised Rivaldo and Ronaldo for their outstanding performance in netting two goals for Brazil.

— Javid Hassan in Riyadh, Saeed Haider in Dammam & K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah