Asian Cup 2019: Saudi Arabia and Qatar look set to mix up ahead of group decider

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  • A regional rivalry is set to be played out on the football pitch when Saudi Arabia and Qatar meet at Asian Cup 2019.

    The political situation provides an intriguing backdrop to a match that has little riding on it, with both side already qualified from Group E having swept to sizeable victories against whipping-boys North Korea and Lebanon, plus are expected to rest players with the round of 16 to come.

    Here are the talking points ahead of the meeting at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City:

    Striking it up

    Worries abounded last month when Saudi Arabia’s 23-man squad contained a solitary recognised striker – and an uncapped one at that.

    Mohammed Al Saiari is a name known by few outside of the Saudi Professional League.

    Such is the sparsity of options open to head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, however, now that Nasser Al Shamrani and Mohammad Al Sahlawi have past their use-by dates, he had little choice but to go with the unheralded Al Hazm player. Especially when Al Qadsiah prospect Haroune Camara, 21, went scoreless in four international try outs.

    The Green Falcons have soared into the knockouts with a 4-0 win against 10-man North Korea and 2-0 triumph against limited Lebanon. Al Saiari came off the bench upon 78 minutes versus the latter, and should get a start in ZSC to ensure improving, two-goal false 9 Fahad Al Muwallad gets a deserved rest.

    Al Saiari’s debut in the warm-up against South Korea contained a glaring miss. Yet, a career-best tally of eight strikes in 13 top-flight games this term points to his efficacy.

    How he could do with breaking his international duck, at the third attempt.

    Possession play

    This may be a tie played in the Arabian Gulf by Middle East nations, but Spain’s influence on this contest is substantial.

    Saudi head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi was born in Argentina, yet represented La Furia Roja 22 times from 1994-98. He also played for Tenerife (2), Valencia and Barcelona from 1991-98.

    In Qatar’s corner, boss Felix Sanchez Bas helped hone the likes of Sergi Roberto as a youth coach at Barca from 1996-2006. Inculcated in the Blaugrana’s beliefs, he was headhunted by Aspire Academy 13 years ago and moved up to being in charge of Al Annabi (The Maroons) by July 2017.

    Tactically, Thursday’s match will see possession-heavy, high-pressing sides sent out in the trademark style the instrumental Johan Cruyff helped bring to Barca more than 40 years ago via the Netherlands’ totaalvoetbal.

    Whomever can break the passing “carousel” – as Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson famously labelled it when he faced the insurmountable Pep Guardiola’s Barca – should come out on top.

    The Big Mo

    Grand opposition has not been on show in Group E.

    Saudi Arabia and Qatar have piled a combined 10 goals on North Korea and four on Lebanon. Neither of the also rans could lay a glove on the leaders – it’s been four clean sheets from four games.

    The desire to rotate is obvious, with the round of 16 only days away.

    Former Villarreal loanee Salem Al Dawsari is almost certain to sit this out for the Green Falcons, among others. For Qatar, there will be a temptation to rest five-goal tournament leading marksman Almoez Ali and winger Akram Afif.

    Changes, however, always come with the risk of a downturn in results.

    Is it worth making a raft of changes and losing precious momentum?

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