Asia’s miraculous unbeaten start to the World Cup continues, as Saudi Arabia turned expectations on their head to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Uruguay.
It won’t be one to look back on with misty eyes, but their second half rearguard defiance, led by an exceptional Mohammed Al-Owais between the posts, keeps them well positioned in Group H to challenge for progression to the knockout stages for the first time since 1994.
The Saudis, who took the lead in the 41st minute, as Abdulelah Al-Amri pounced quickest from a set-piece parry by Fernando Muslera, had a mixed game all in all, driven by the contrasting fortunes of those in opposition.
It’s true, Uruguay are not the same side the Green Falcons lost 1-0 to in Russia eight years ago; there’s no Luis Suarez, no Edinson Cavani, no Diego Godin. This is a team in transition, led by a coach who makes the Saudi hotseat (or shall we say, water cooler?) on the run up to the World Cup feel like a recliner.
In their opponent’s rustiness, Saudi Arabia were afforded a surprising amount of space, but all too often found themselves jittery in possession. The link up between Musab Al-Juwayr, so integral to this team’s attacking output, and the notably withdrawn presence of Salem Al-Dawsari, failed to ignite any sort of cohesion, however in defence they looked comfortably assured; confident in their starting positions, and strong in the challenge.
As hopes grew, so did their presence in the final third. An Al-Amri volley, expertly saved by Muslera from an earlier set play, was a warning unheeded. A few minutes later the Al-Nassr centre back pounced quickest following a Mohammed Kanno header to ignite, what to that stage, was a drab opener.
It gave the Saudis a foothold, something to build on, and confidence to attack further. The enemy for Giorgios Donis’ men however, was time, as the first half quickly drained away.
A response was always likely, but few were expecting the direct switch in attitude from the Uruguayans. Bielsa withdrew Darwin Nunez – the pantomime villain in waiting, desperate to prove his mark against the country he’d failed to settle in since his move to Al-Hilal, in his place sending on Juan Sanabria and the particularly threatening Agustin Canobbio. A realisation of the stakes at play triggered a reaction from the Saudis also, albeit a more pragmatic one.
Wave after wave, Uruguay were back in a more familiar grove; forcing what had been a resolute and positive Saudi backline ever further back towards its own penalty area.
As pressure continued, there was only one team in it. As Donis opted to send on Nasser Al-Dawsari for the now passenger Musab Al-Juwayr, the signal was clear: it was backs to wall for Saudi Arabia. As the clock frustrated Donis’ men in the first period, it once again played foe in the second, providing clear blue water ahead of the Uruguayans to find a way back into it.
If anything, the inevitable equaliser from Maximilliano Araujo, broke Saudi out of their slumber; they needed to blink and attempt some fight, if they were to stave off defeat. Much of the talk pre-match focused on the Miracle of Lusail, as Saudi Arabia triumphed over World Cup champions Argentina in 2022; however, for many Saudi fans, the second period against Uruguay was more reminiscent of the frustrations felt in matches against Poland and Mexico.
While fight, and a little more ambition followed, the motions were already set in stone, and the flow of traffic continued. But for Al-Owais, it would’ve been over. His cool demeanour, and impressive agility clinched the keeper a second man of the match trophy, three and a half years on from his heroics against Messi and co.
The final whistle was a moment of relief, if not necessarily joy, but the hours and days to come will offer a realisation of what has been achieved.
The lessons from Donis first competitive outing as Saudi coach will also develop over the coming days. Defensively, they were strong and unified; but yet again a lack of attacking forays was their principle downfall.
The ball just didn’t stick in the final third, even when space was afforded to them. That’s the big concern. They had time in the first half to build up confidence and add to their lead. By missing that opportunity they handed the narrative to Uruguay.
Earlier in the day, Cape Verde’s historic draw with European champions Spain threw this group wide open; this draw just adds to the increasing unpredictability of this World Cup.
While some will point to their defensive steel shown in the closing stages, few will feel any sort of reassurance heading into a game against the wounded Spanish.
Confidence, given the manner of Herve Renard’s exit prior to the tournament, and the togetherness of a squad having hung onto a precious point, is surely regained for the Saudis; but do they have it in them to go one step further next week?
