Pizzi, who replaced Edgardo Bauza at the helm back in October, is yet to make his debut in the dugout and the Moldova match gives him an earlier opportunity to review his players as Saudi Arabia prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia.

Saudi Arabia, who sealed automatic qualification at the end of the Asian Qualifiers, were initially supposed to kick-off their Russia 2018 preparations with a friendly against Iraq on Wednesday.

Former Chile coach Pizzi called a squad of 28 players and they have been in training since February 20 in Jeddah.

While Van Marwijk will be just one of numerous international coaches featuring in Russia, the appointment continues a clear theme. Van Marwijk will be Australia’s third Dutch coach in four World Cups following in the footsteps of compatriots Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek. The past decade also saw two Dutch technical directors appointed at Australia’s national federation.

That surface-level connection between the two countries runs deeper than first appears, and is one that dates back decades. Post-WWII migration from Europe led to a boom in football Down Under and, of course, Dutch immigrants brought their favourite game. Clubs such as Hollandia, Wilhelmina, and the quirkily named Windmills could be found in Australia’s various cities.

One ultimately stood out above all. Brisbane Lions competed in the former National Soccer League, and their direct descendent, Brisbane Roar, are now prominent in the A-League. The club still plays in orange and even their logo loosely resembles that of the Netherlands Football Association.

Not only was that match Al Jaber’s last with the Green Falcons, it was also their last World Cup outing to date, with the Saudis missing out on the following two world finals before qualifying for Russia 2018 last year.

Almost 12 years on from scoring the last of his world finals goals, Al Jaber spoke to FIFA.com about his World Cup memories and what Russia 2018 means to Saudi Arabia’s players.

Q: What memories do you have of your four World Cups?

I remember everything from 1994 onwards. I'm very proud to have appeared at four World Cups in a row. Playing in the competition is a unique experience because there are millions of people watching you. In 1994, if you'd asked the American people to talk about Saudi Arabia they wouldn't have known what to say. Football is a very quick way of getting yourself known.

The world finals after that were amazing. I was lucky enough to score at a few World Cups and to become an iconic player in Saudi Arabia. There are a lot of talented players in my country but there aren't many who've scored in a World Cup. I have vivid memories of each of those competitions.

Q: Which match stands out most of all in your career?

The one against Tunisia at the Allianz Arena in Munich in 2006, a game I scored in. It came 12 years after my first World Cup appearance. God gave me a wonderful gift in allowing me to end my career by repeating the achievement. 

When I went through one-on-one against the keeper, I saw my whole life as a footballer flash before my eyes. That goal allowed me to end my career on a high note, before I announced my retirement.

Cahill, who quit Melbourne City in December after rarely featuring in the starting line-up since joining the A-League side in 2016, played a key role in helping Australia qualify for Russia 2018.

"I'm really happy. I've had a great career as a footballer, but to come here now at this stage of my career, with eyes on a World Cup place, it's such a professional environment," Cahill told Millwall's website. 

"The romance of the story is definitely not lost on me. I've always said that if I came back to England, I'd come home."

Cahill is Australia's most prolific international scorer with 50 goals and is seeking to represent his country for a fourth-consecutive World Cup in June-July.

The 38-year-old will join Millwall's squad for the rest of the 2017-18 season, which ends in early May ahead of the play-offs.