RIYADH, 13 February — The Saudi national team will encounter today Denmark, arguably the strongest European team with all the renowned professionals called back to the team at the current estimations. This friendly match at the King Fahd International Stadium between two formidable teams is part of their preparation for the upcoming World Cup in Korea and Japan.
The Saudi team is brimming with confidence as its morale has been boosted in the earlier match with Brazil. The Saudi boys missed a draw in that neck-to-neck fight by sheer bad luck.
The match has given a deeper insight into the likely vulnerable spots in the Saudi team. This will, in turn, help the coach, Nasser Al-Jowhar, to reinforce the team and make it invincible in an unprecedented manner.
The match with Brazil also helped Al-Jowhar to assess the potentials of the first timers such as Takar, Muntashari, Al-Tamyat and Al-Wakid.
The coach believes that each team member will strive to take out the best in the repertoire of his technical skills and physical agility when exposed to the challenges posed by the Europeans.
The formation of the Kingdom’s team can be safely guessed to be as follows: Muhammad Al-Daeya can be trusted with the goal and Muhammad Al-Khoujli will be given the chance to prove his worth at the second half. Abdullah Soleiman, Rida Takar, Al-Sagri and Al-Dokhi will guard the defense line while Al-Oweiran, Matir, Al-Ghamdi and Al-Muhammadi, will be in the center. The attack line will be formed with Al-Jabir and Al-Mishaal. Al-Jowhar is likely to effect some tactical changes in the second half with Al-Jamaan, Al-Yami, Nur, and Al-Tamyat. This formation is seemingly ideal in the light of their performance against the Brazilian team.
However, Al-Jowhar will have to be infinitely resourceful in drawing up strategies as the Danes present a game totally different from the South Americans. The Denmark team basically focuses on their surprising agility combined with physical strength and relentless pressure on the rival players, particularly the one who has the ball with him.
On the other hand Saudi players have proved their capability to rise to the occasion. They may yet again put up a creditable show today.
