JEDDAH, 1 June — The presence of Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal, deputy chief of the Youth Welfare Presidency and vice president of the Saudi Football Federation, made the Kingdom’s team brim with confidence at the final moments of their training and preparation last evening at Sapporo’s main stadium where the team is tackling Germans today. The training focused mainly on the physical agility and tactics to be followed in today’s decisive encounter. All players including injured goalkeeper Muhammad Al-Khojali were also present.
Coach Nasir Al-Jowhar allowed journalists to visit the camp and photograph the team.
The prince had made it clear that Al-Jowhar will remain at his post even if the team failed to get into the next round.
Meanwhile, Al-Jowhar assigned his Brazilian deputy Robson to observe Cameroon’s performance against Ireland. The Saudis are scheduled to play against Cameroon on June 6 at Saitama.
Owairan’s goal in 1994 the sixth best
Saudi international Saeed Owairan’s dazzling goal that sent shock waves amidst the Belgians in the 1994 World Cup in the United States has been acclaimed as the sixth best goal scored since the beginning of the World Cup in Uruguay in 1930, according to an Internet poll held by world governing football body FIFA. Owairan, who is the only Arab and Asian player among the top 10 of the best scorers, got 6,756 votes. Barely five minutes after the start of the game, Owairan dodged the rival defenders with unbelievable speed and agility to send the ball into the Belgian post. Maradona’s second goal against England in 1986 came first in the poll with an overwhelming majority of 18,062 votes while England’s Michael Owen was a distant second with 10,631 votes for his goal in 1998 against Argentina. Pele’s 1958 strike against Sweden came third with 9,880 votes from 341,460 fans from over 150 countries.
Saudi fans find it hard to reach Japan
Most Saudi football fans find it hard to reach Japan and Korea where the World Cup matches are being played these days, Al-Watan reported yesterday.
The planes to Japan and hotels there are overbooked though the rates have shot up at astronomical proportions.
The fans are very eager to be at the side of the national team playing first today in Sapporo, and in Saitama on 6th, and in Yokohama on 11th. They have been running from pillar to post to get in to a plane heading for Japan or Korea whatever may be the cost.
They have also been hitting various Internet sites without much success. Even those who found the reservations find the visa formalities at the embassy in Riyadh extremely complicated and time consuming. Media persons are also facing similar problems. However the Saudi team will not be wanting in fans and sympathetic viewers.
