Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia, one of the sides looking to add to their already impressive list of AFC Asian Cup titles, cruised through qualification and will look to bring the same form into the 2015 tournament.
Placed in a tough Group C alongside 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions Iraq, China and Indonesia, Saudi Arabia proved too strong for their rivals, finishing the qualifiers undefeated.
The Green Falcons opened their account by hosting China in Dummam. They took the lead in the 23rd minute through Fahad Al Muwallad’s strike, and despite their East Asian opponents drawing level through Zhao Xuri, striker Naif Hazazi handed Saudi Arabia the victory with an invaluable 79th minute winner.
The Saudis then travelled to Jakarta to face Indonesia where they duly went behind in the fifth minute. However, a brace from Yousef Al Salem ensured his side made it two wins from two games thanks to a 2-1 victory.
Next up for Saudi Arabia was a showdown with Iraq on October 15, 2013 - arguably their toughest assignment of the group stages. Played on neutral ground in Jordan, the matched resulted in a convincing win for Saudi Arabia, goals either side of half-time from Osama Hawsawi and 2014 AFC Player of the Year Nasser Al Shamrani ensuring the three-time AFC Asian Cup winners remained unbeaten at the halfway mark of qualification.
One month later, and in the return fixture, Taisir Al Jassim gave Saudi Arabia an early lead, only to see Iraq sensation Younis Mahmoud restore parity before the break. Nevertheless, Al Shamrani proved to be his side’s saviour once again, scoring in the 60th minute to give the Saudis a decisive 2-1 victory.
The only qualifier Saudi Arabia did not win came in their second match China – a 0-0 draw which was watched by some 36,000 fans in Xi’an.
In their final qualifying encounter, Saudi Arabia stamped their authority on the group with a 1-0 defeat of Indonesia, keeping intact their undefeated record. In what was a closely contested affair, young gun Fahad Al Muwallad found the back of the net in the 87th minute to secure all three points.
Having recorded five wins and a draw, Saudi Arabia will face 2011 AFC Asian Cup fourth-placed finishers Uzbekistan, China and DPR Korea in Group B when they embark upon their attempt to win a record-equalling fourth AFC Asian Cup in January.
Photo: AFP