Not winning a title since 1996, failing to make it to the World Cup held in South Africa and losing the Gulf Cup recently, made many Saudi fans insecure about their team these days, " The Asian Cup is considered as one of our favorite cups but we have the feeling that this year we will not go further because of the poor preparation that we have seen lately in their matches against Iraq and Bahrain." said 28 year-old Ahmed Al Sulami.

Al Sulami noted that the Saudi football has been very disappointing over the past few years.

Football fanatic, Nasir Al Ahmadi also feels nervous about the Saudi team. He said, " You know what? I am normally optimistic of the Saudi national team, but for the first time in years I am going to watch this year's Asian Cup not really knowing what to expect."

He continued " We have had some memorable wins in the Asian Cups. However, I do not know what our starting line-up could be because our head coach Jose Peseiro has not decided on a line up that you can count on. He is a good coach but cannot make up his mind which player's to play with."

"That's my concern but let's not forget, we are still one of the best teams in Asia," he said.

Thirty five-year-old Hamad Al Enezi pointed out nervously that the Saudi squad is not as tough as it used to be, "I am really nervous because other teams are better prepared than Saudi Arabia and our coach seems to be lost with the large number of players he has selected. What makes us doubly nervous is the fact that he plays with different players in every match which is wrong."

However, Al Enezi begs Saudi fans not to lose confidence in their team. He said," Let's get behind the team and hope for the best."

It all combined for a depressing year, as Saudi football fans for anything to feel positive about.

According to, Ahmed Al Sarahni, a banker, " Our national team could not bag any title for the past few years which really makes us feel unoptimistic about winning the Asian Cup any more. We are really unsure about our team and how our Portuguese coach who kept his job, despite the Saudi's failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 20 years is handling the squad,"

When asked why Saudi football fans fear of their national team's performance during the Asian Cup which began on Friday, Obaid Al Shamarani, a sport fan, said " It has been a painful four years, not winning any title and not qualifying to the World Cup in South Africa made Saudi football fans not happy with their football status lately. "

He added "I noticed that there is a negative feeling among our fans this time and the recent results of Saudi football is the reason behind this but we hope this Asian cup could bring good news for Saudi football."

Saudi Arabia is placed in Group B of the Asian Cup 2011, along with Japan, Jordan and Syria and will kick off its first game on Jan. 9 against Syria.