The freefall of Saudi Arabian football.
(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Pizzi's team has been officially eliminated in the group stage after a 0-1 defeat against Uruguay in the second match. This is the fourth consecutive time Saudi Arabia has been eliminated very early in the World Cup.
From the pride of Asia…
It took 28 years, since North Korea finished fourth at the 1966 World Cup, for the world's most populous continent to have another representative advance beyond the group stage. That team was none other than Saudi Arabia.
At the 1994 USA Open, Saudi Arabia was drawn into the same group as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Morocco. Few believed that the team from West Asia could pull off a surprise on American soil.
It's true that anything can happen in football. Saudi Arabia has consistently produced one surprise after another. In their opening match, the team nicknamed "The Blue Falcons" almost held the title contenders, the Netherlands, to a draw (losing 1-2).
It seemed as though the defeat against "Orange Storm" would force Saudi Arabia to pack its bags and return home soon. But, a small "earthquake" occurred.
After defeating their equally matched opponent Morocco (2-1), Saudi Arabia faced Belgium in the final group stage match. In every respect, the "Green Falcons" were no match for the "Red Devils".
However, Owairan's solitary goal helped Saudi Arabia overcome Belgium 1-0 and advance to the round of 16 as group runners-up (the Netherlands finished first).
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| Owairan celebrates a goal against Belgium in 1994. Photo: Internet |
Owairan's goal against Belgium was voted the best goal of the 1994 World Cup, and is also considered one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history.
Despite being eliminated by Sweden in the round of 16 (losing 1-3), Saudi Arabia's achievements at the 1994 World Cup in the USA make them a source of pride for Asian football.
Unfortunately, since then, the "Green Falcons" have only caused disappointment. Every time they've participated in the World Cup finals, Saudi Arabia has only been considered an underdog.
The resounding success in the US in 1994 could not become a "stepping stone" to help Saudi Arabian football develop further. The former pride of Asian football has now become a "beggar of the past".
...to disappointment
Having lost to Uruguay in their recent match, Saudi Arabia has failed to qualify for the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive time (1998, 2002, 2006, 2018). This is a very disappointing record for the team from West Asia.
Witnessing the performance of Saudi Arabian players in recent World Cups, football experts and fans in Asia have been filled with disappointment and shame.
Not only were they weak in terms of professional skill, but the "Green Falcons" also lacked fighting spirit. The Saudi Arabian players performed listlessly and weakly, resembling mere sparring partners for their opponents.
Their defense is lackluster, and their attack lacks ideas. Observing Saudi Arabia's playing style, it's hard to believe they are currently ranked 3rd in Asia (FIFA rankings June 2018).
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| Saudi Arabian players were disappointed after their loss to Uruguay. Photo: Internet |
Following the opening match of the 2018 World Cup (Russia 5-0 Saudi Arabia), the online community called on FIFA to ban Saudi Arabia from participating in the World Cup because…they were too weak. The five goals scored by the host nation Russia were largely thanks to coach Pizzi's team. If the Russian players had been more accurate in their finishing, the score would have been even more lopsided.
The same was true in their recent loss to Uruguay. The Saudi Arabian players showed absolutely no fighting spirit or determination. Even when trailing, even when they had nothing to lose (eliminated), Hawsawi and his teammates played as if they were leading or in an internal training match.
Compared to Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, Coach Pizzi's team is a disgrace to Asian football. Winning or losing, those teams showed determination in every play, in every match. They left the field and the tournament with their heads held high, unlike how Saudi Arabia has been demonstrating.
Suddenly, I remembered that the "Green Falcons" are one of the teams that have suffered the biggest defeats in World Cup history. At the 2002 World Cup held in South Korea and Japan, Saudi Arabia was thrashed 8-0 by Germany.
Since Hungary's 10-1 defeat to El Salvador in 1982, no team has suffered such a heavy loss as Saudi Arabia did 16 years ago.
Therefore, calling Saudi Arabia "the shame of Asian football" is not an exaggeration.
