Two individual mistakes by the Saudis were punished instantly despite Salem Al Dawsari’s curler late in the first half cancelling out Abdulelah Al Amri’s own goal. AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie took advantage of a lapse of concentration to score the winner midway through the second half to consign The Green Falcons to a losing start.

Arnold had vowed ahead of the tournament that his players would shock the world in the extremely difficult Group C, and it took just 14 minutes for Western United forward Lachlan Wales to put them on the road to a momentous win with the opening goal following a Joel King cross.

The Olyroos’ cause was aided further when Argentine defender Francisco Ortega was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence just before half-time, and the points were made safe by a thumping strike from substitute Marco Tilio, who scored in his first involvement of the match with 10 minutes remaining.

Takefusa Kubo’s strike was the difference between the nations as Japan made a winning start to their campaign in Group A of the Men's Football tournament at Tokyo Stadium, but Sampdoria defender Yoshida was unhappy with the way Hajime Moriyasu’s team performed in the opening exchanges.

The 2012 bronze medalists went into the Group B fixture as strong favourites against a side that had never won a match in their two previous appearances at the Games.

But the dominant East Asians found no way past a stubborn Olywhites backline and Chris Wood made them pay when he slotted home the winner 20 minutes from time.

The 28-year-old Brazilian joins the six-time UAE Pro League champions from Everton, having signed a two-season deal with the UAE club.

The 32-year-old Brazilian joins the Saudi Pro League side on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Chinese giants Guangzhou FC.

The experienced Suhaimi Mat Hassan from Malaysia will be among the mix when he makes his fifth appearance in the showpiece.

He will be joined by Oman’s Turki Abdullah Said Al Salehi, who officiated in the 2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship Final in Thailand. This will be his second appearance in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup since 2015.