JEDDAH, 24 June 2006 — June 23 will be remembered as the day when Arab teams made their exit in the first round of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Both Saudi Arabia and Tunisia lost by identical 1-0 margins against Spain and Ukraine, respectively in Group H and with it went their chances of making any headway in the global sports extravaganza. Spain, resting many of their players, after having qualified for the next round with two wins, found the Saudi outfit a handful at Kaiserslautern yesterday. But the Saudis continued to lack firepower despite a rejuvenated performance.

Saudi Arabia, having only an outside chance to qualify, added more tooth to their attack by playing two strikers — Sami Al-Jaber and Saad Al-Harthi — fielding Al-Harthi for the first time at the event.

Yesterday, Saudi Arabia pressured the Spanish players and showed fine positioning in their bid to restrict the Spaniards space to maneuver. But the quick one-twos by the better-organized Spain gave them the edge. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, were slow to pass the ball and their failure to use the long ball allowed Spain to regroup often.

Saudi Arabia lost the services of defender Khaled Aziz in the 11th minute due to injury. Aziz in trying to backheel a pass to Muhammad Nur pulled a muscle and was stretchered off. Two quick efforts from Raul followed and they were thwarted by Saudi defenders. And that triggered a flow of Spanish attacks.

Mabrouk Zayed, who had a fine game, was called upon to ward off David Albelda’s (28th) and Joaquin’s (29th) threats and he rose to the occasion. Despite the two saves, Zayed could not keep the goal from falling. Center back Juanito scored the winner nine minutes from halftime when he fired a bullet header past Zayed after Jose Antonio Reyes whipped in a free kick from the left.

Al-Jaber had a gilt-edged chance to level the match in the 40th minute when he was sent through following a fine pass. But instead of crossing to an unmarked Al-Harthi, he took a shot at the goal where Spanish goalie Santiago Canizares collected cleanly.

Saudi Arabia, in the second half, were more purposeful and twice Abdul Ghani tested Canizares. Substitute Nawaf Al-Temyat and Nur caused problems for the back four with some neat runs into the area and in the 88th minute Nur found Al-Harthi with a superb pass. But Al-Harthi’s shot sailed over.

Madani Rahimi, ART sport analyst, said the Saudi team performed courageously against a strong Spanish team. He said that this match was the best played by the Saudi team in the World Cup.

Rahimi said, “The Saudi team came close many times and they could have fared better if Malek Muaz had been played in all three matches. He troubled the Spanish defenders and lent nip to the attack.”

Zayed said: “I am proud of the team’s performance despite the result.”