A doubleheader against Jamaica witnessed contrasting fortunes, and displays, when Herve Renard\u2019s Saudi Arabia ended their 11-month hiatus.
\nSalem Al Dawsari\u2019s rebound from his penalty, Al Hilal club-mate Saleh Al Shehri\u2019s sharp finish and Al Nassr prospect Firas Al Buraikan\u2019s tap-in handed the Green Falcons a 3-0 victory at Riyadh\u2019s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Saturday. Experimentation with a change in shape would then produce uncertain outcomes in Tuesday\u2019s 2-1 defeat, during which Daniel Johnson and Javon East emphatically responded to Al Shabab youngster Abdullah Al Hamdan\u2019s well-taken opener.
\nHere is a rundown of the issues coach Herve Renard will now be pondering as he looks ahead after his first matches back in the dugout since December 2019\u2019s shock Gulf Cup final reversal to Bahrain:
\nAN IDENTITY EMERGING?
\nFor reasons both within and outside of his control, Renard\u2019s introduction to Saudi football has been staccato.
\nDisappointing World Cup 2022 qualifying draws versus Yemen and Palestine are contrasted with the heart-racing 3-2 triumph in Uzbekistan. Raucous semi-final joy versus hosts Qatar was swiftly forgotten by pained defeat to the Bahrainis in last winter\u2019s Gulf get together.
\nAsserting an identity is never easy for international coaches with such little contact time. Coronavirus has only accentuated this.
\nYet, tangible signs of development were present versus the Reggae Boyz. Even with mixed results.
\nThere was the fascinating first deviation in his 13-match reign away from a four-man defence, for the second meeting. This is a tactic used rarely in the Middle East, but one which could prove invaluable to meet specific future tests.
\nExtra emphasis was made on passing out from the back. The 32 long passes recorded in last week\u2019s opener was the least, according to Wyscout, since Renard\u2019s friendly debut, September 2019\u2019s 1-1 draw with Mali.
\n?\u26bd\ufe0f \u2014 \u0627\u0644\u0623\u062e\u0636\u0631 \u064a\u062e\u062a\u062a\u0645 \u062a\u062d\u0636\u064a\u0631\u0627\u062a\u0647 \u0644\u0645\u0648\u0627\u062c\u0647\u0629 \u0645\u0646\u062a\u062e\u0628 \u062c\u0627\u0645\u0627\u064a\u0643\u0627 \u0648\u062f\u064a\u064b\u0627 \u0636\u0645\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0625\u0639\u062f\u0627\u062f \u0644\u0644\u062a\u0635\u0641\u064a\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0622\u0633\u064a\u0648\u064a\u0629 ?.https:\/\/t.co\/NK2b4e8NDA#\u0645\u0639\u0627\u0643_\u064a\u0627\u0644\u0623\u062e\u0636\u0631 pic.twitter.com\/rRxDLiRH6n— \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0646\u062a\u062e\u0628 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a (@SaudiNT) November 16, 2020
\nThis is a laudable achievement versus opponents ranked 48th in the world by FIFA, 19 spots in front of the Saudis.
\nAn aggressive press drew mistakes for Al Shehri\u2019s and Al Buraikan\u2019s strikes in the opener, plus a reckless giveaway which led to Al Hamdan\u2019s goal this midweek.
\nAl Ahli Jeddah defender Mohamed Al Khabrani\u2019s thunderous early tackle in the 3-0 win also showcased a physicality so often absent in the past.
\nOn the other hand, Santos de Guapiles striker East\u2019s clincher came from risky passing at the back and a muscular challenge on callow substitute Mukhtar Ali. Similarly injudicious use of the ball, and loss of shape, in a hectic final 30 minutes should have also seen Jamaica\u2019s winning margin increase.
\nThere is significant work to do for the spring\u2019s qualifying resumption \u2013 and beyond into the third round. A man of Renard\u2019s repute on the international arena will relish it.
\nSTRIKING OUT?
\nFrom being Saudi Arabia\u2019s position of weakness, centre forward now appears an area of growing strength.
\nAl Shehri, Al Buraikan and Al Hamdan produced three of the four goals scored during this break. All are most comfortable up top.
\nThe days of shoehorning peerless winger Al Dawsari and Al Ittihad flyer Fahad Al Muwallad is at an end.
\n\u062f29' \u0647\u062f\u0641 \u0644\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629! \u26bd#\u0639\u0628\u062f\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647 \u0627\u0644\u062d\u0645\u062f\u0627\u0646 \u064a\u0641\u062a\u062a\u062d \u0627\u0644\u062a\u0633\u062c\u064a\u0644#\u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629 1 : 0 #\u062c\u0627\u0645\u0627\u064a\u0643\u0627#\u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629_\u062c\u0627\u0645\u0627\u064a\u0643\u0627? \u2014 \u0634\u0627\u0647\u062f \u0627\u0644\u0647\u062f\u0641! ? pic.twitter.com\/khR49vfcI4— \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0646\u0648\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0631\u064a\u0627\u0636\u064a\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629 (@riyadiyatv) November 17, 2020
\nBut there is a significant caveat. None of Al Shehri, Al Buraikan and Al Hamdan can be considered first-choice picks in the Saudi Professional League.
\nAbdulfattah Adam\u2019s progress on loan at Al Raed from Nassr should be watched closely.
\nFUTURE IS IN SAFE HANDS
\nWith reinvigorated Al Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Al Mayouf\u2019s absence from the international arena permanent, identification of a long-term custodian is one of the key questions Renard must answer.
\nAn intriguing option emerged against Jamaica. The 23-year-old Mohammed Al Yami started both friendlies, which is the same number of SPL matches he\u2019s racked up in the last two seasons at Al Ahli Jeddah.
\nFears about rustiness were soon assuaged.
\nAl Yami was a virtual bystander in the 3-0 victory, before pulling off some impressive stops during the second’s frantic finale. None more so than his double save on Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s Leon Bailey and East, the latter being denied from point-blank range.
\n\u0627\u0644\u0625\u062d\u0640\u0645\u0640\u0640\u0640\u0627\u0621 ?\u2705 pic.twitter.com\/fFrNGleb4Q— \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0646\u062a\u062e\u0628 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a (@SaudiNT) November 14, 2020
\nAll three keepers called up for the Gulf Cup did not come this time. Late injury to Al Wehda\u2019s Abdullah Al Owaishir then provided further hindrance.
\nIt was, still, a bold move to go with Saudi youth international Al Yami.
\nRenard must now hope the younger man can oust Yasser Al Mosailem at club level, making the Ahli and Saudi No1 shirts his own for the next decade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A doubleheader against Jamaica witnessed contrasting fortunes, and displays, when Herve Renard\u2019s Saudi Arabia ended their 11-month hiatus.
\nSalem Al Dawsari\u2019s rebound from his penalty, Al Hilal club-mate Saleh Al Shehri\u2019s sharp finish and Al Nassr prospect Firas Al Buraikan\u2019s tap-in handed the Green Falcons a 3-0 victory at Riyadh\u2019s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Saturday. Experimentation with a change in shape would then produce uncertain outcomes in Tuesday\u2019s 2-1 defeat, during which Daniel Johnson and Javon East emphatically responded to Al Shabab youngster Abdullah Al Hamdan\u2019s well-taken opener.
\nHere is a rundown of the issues coach Herve Renard will now be pondering as he looks ahead after his first matches back in the dugout since December 2019\u2019s shock Gulf Cup final reversal to Bahrain:
\nAN IDENTITY EMERGING?
\nFor reasons both within and outside of his control, Renard\u2019s introduction to Saudi football has been staccato.
\nDisappointing World Cup 2022 qualifying draws versus Yemen and Palestine are contrasted with the heart-racing 3-2 triumph in Uzbekistan. Raucous semi-final joy versus hosts Qatar was swiftly forgotten by pained defeat to the Bahrainis in last winter\u2019s Gulf get together.
\nAsserting an identity is never easy for international coaches with such little contact time. Coronavirus has only accentuated this.
\nYet, tangible signs of development were present versus the Reggae Boyz. Even with mixed results.
\nThere was the fascinating first deviation in his 13-match reign away from a four-man defence, for the second meeting. This is a tactic used rarely in the Middle East, but one which could prove invaluable to meet specific future tests.
\nExtra emphasis was made on passing out from the back. The 32 long passes recorded in last week\u2019s opener was the least, according to Wyscout, since Renard\u2019s friendly debut, September 2019\u2019s 1-1 draw with Mali.
\n?\u26bd\ufe0f \u2014 \u0627\u0644\u0623\u062e\u0636\u0631 \u064a\u062e\u062a\u062a\u0645 \u062a\u062d\u0636\u064a\u0631\u0627\u062a\u0647 \u0644\u0645\u0648\u0627\u062c\u0647\u0629 \u0645\u0646\u062a\u062e\u0628 \u062c\u0627\u0645\u0627\u064a\u0643\u0627 \u0648\u062f\u064a\u064b\u0627 \u0636\u0645\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0625\u0639\u062f\u0627\u062f \u0644\u0644\u062a\u0635\u0641\u064a\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0622\u0633\u064a\u0648\u064a\u0629 ?.https:\/\/t.co\/NK2b4e8NDA#\u0645\u0639\u0627\u0643_\u064a\u0627\u0644\u0623\u062e\u0636\u0631 pic.twitter.com\/rRxDLiRH6n\u2014 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0646\u062a\u062e\u0628 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a (@SaudiNT) November 16, 2020
\nThis is a laudable achievement versus opponents ranked 48th in the world by FIFA, 19 spots in front of the Saudis.
\nAn aggressive press drew mistakes for Al Shehri\u2019s and Al Buraikan\u2019s strikes in the opener, plus a reckless giveaway which led to Al Hamdan\u2019s goal this midweek.
\nAl Ahli Jeddah defender Mohamed Al Khabrani\u2019s thunderous early tackle in the 3-0 win also showcased a physicality so often absent in the past.
\nOn the other hand, Santos de Guapiles striker East\u2019s clincher came from risky passing at the back and a muscular challenge on callow substitute Mukhtar Ali. Similarly injudicious use of the ball, and loss of shape, in a hectic final 30 minutes should have also seen Jamaica\u2019s winning margin increase.
\nThere is significant work to do for the spring\u2019s qualifying resumption \u2013 and beyond into the third round. A man of Renard\u2019s repute on the international arena will relish it.
\nSTRIKING OUT?
\nFrom being Saudi Arabia\u2019s position of weakness, centre forward now appears an area of growing strength.
\nAl Shehri, Al Buraikan and Al Hamdan produced three of the four goals scored during this break. All are most comfortable up top.
\nThe days of shoehorning peerless winger Al Dawsari and Al Ittihad flyer Fahad Al Muwallad is at an end.
\n\u062f29' \u0647\u062f\u0641 \u0644\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629! \u26bd#\u0639\u0628\u062f\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647 \u0627\u0644\u062d\u0645\u062f\u0627\u0646 \u064a\u0641\u062a\u062a\u062d \u0627\u0644\u062a\u0633\u062c\u064a\u0644#\u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629 1 : 0 #\u062c\u0627\u0645\u0627\u064a\u0643\u0627#\u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629_\u062c\u0627\u0645\u0627\u064a\u0643\u0627? \u2014 \u0634\u0627\u0647\u062f \u0627\u0644\u0647\u062f\u0641! ? pic.twitter.com\/khR49vfcI4\u2014 \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0646\u0648\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0631\u064a\u0627\u0636\u064a\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a\u0629 (@riyadiyatv) November 17, 2020
\nBut there is a significant caveat. None of Al Shehri, Al Buraikan and Al Hamdan can be considered first-choice picks in the Saudi Professional League.
\nAbdulfattah Adam\u2019s progress on loan at Al Raed from Nassr should be watched closely.
\nFUTURE IS IN SAFE HANDS
\nWith reinvigorated Al Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Al Mayouf\u2019s absence from the international arena permanent, identification of a long-term custodian is one of the key questions Renard must answer.
\nAn intriguing option emerged against Jamaica. The 23-year-old Mohammed Al Yami started both friendlies, which is the same number of SPL matches he\u2019s racked up in the last two seasons at Al Ahli Jeddah.
\nFears about rustiness were soon assuaged.
\nAl Yami was a virtual bystander in the 3-0 victory, before pulling off some impressive stops during the second\u2019s frantic finale. None more so than his double save on Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s Leon Bailey and East, the latter being denied from point-blank range.
\n\u0627\u0644\u0625\u062d\u0640\u0645\u0640\u0640\u0640\u0627\u0621 ?\u2705 pic.twitter.com\/fFrNGleb4Q\u2014 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0646\u062a\u062e\u0628 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0639\u0648\u062f\u064a (@SaudiNT) November 14, 2020
\nAll three keepers called up for the Gulf Cup did not come this time. Late injury to Al Wehda\u2019s Abdullah Al Owaishir then provided further hindrance.
\nIt was, still, a bold move to go with Saudi youth international Al Yami.
\nRenard must now hope the younger man can oust Yasser Al Mosailem at club level, making the Ahli and Saudi No1 shirts his own for the next decade.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=187"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":189,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187\/revisions\/189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}