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Saudi Arabia Team Information
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Saudi Arabia - Team Profile
30/03/2006
Three times Asian Champions Saudi Arabia probably have the squad least known by worldwide football fans but that does not diminish their chances of progressing at least to the second stage of the competition. It's not through lack of quality that all the squad play in their domestic league - they just can afford to in the oil rich state.
Coached by Brazilian Marcos Paqueta they are a close-knit unit, organised but basically defensive. Goalkeeping duties go to Zaid Mabrouk who has come through the youth system. The back line are all experienced and should include Redha Tukar, Osama Mowwalad, Saleeh El Saqri and Walid Abd Rabu from Itthad Jeddah. Also in contention for a starting place are Zeid Al Mowwalad, Al Bahri Ahmed and Sharify Hadi.
In midfield, a player nicknamed Baby Maradonna, Mohammed Al Shalhoub is a tricky player who should cause any side problems. Former Asian player of the year Nawaf Al Temyat is still performing well and looks a certain starter. His club teammate Khaled Aziz should be in the last 23, as will the Ahli Jeddah duo Taiseer Al Jassem and Saheb El Abdallah. The versatile Bandar Tamin could be one of Saudi Arabia's most important players while Hassan Moaz and Al Dosarri Mansour are both useful squad additions.
Saudi Legend Sami Al Jaber has been coaxed out of retirement to lead the line. Al Jaber appeared for Saudi Arabia in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 tournament and will be looking to go out on a high. He is the country's leading goalscorer. Other forwards hoping to make the team include Mohamed El Anbar, Saed Al Harth, Qahtani Al Yasser, Mohamed Amien, Naji Al Magrashee and Al Meshal Talal.