|
|
Goalkeepers
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
Mohammed Al-Deayea
|
(Al-Tae), age 25, 94 caps
|
|
An athletic
keeper, one of the best in Asia. Performed well after a nervy
start in 1994 World Cup and boasts a wealth of international
experience.
|
| |
|
Hussein Al-Sadiq
|
(Al-Qadisiyah) age 24, 64 caps
|
|
A solid
back-up to Al-Deayea. Helped his team bag the Asian title last
year.
|
| |
|
Turki Saleh Awad
|
(Al-Hilal) age 25, 0 caps
|
|
Untried third
choice who is unlikely to see too much action in France.
|
| |
|
Defenders
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
Ahmad Jamil Madani
|
(Al-Ittihad) age 28, 94 caps
|
|
Boasts the
highest number of caps on the team. An attacking defender, not
afraid to shoot from outside the box. A natural leader with the
ability to inspire on and off the field.
|
| |
|
Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi
|
(Al-Ittihad) age 27 (28 on May 24), 86 caps
|
|
Seen as the anchor of the Saudi defence. Likes to play the
sweeper role, occasionally breaking forward to join the strikers
in attack.
|
| |
|
Mohammed Al-Jahani
|
(Al-Ahli) age 22, 64 caps
|
|
A rising star
who is filling the shoes of the long-serving Abdullah Saleh. Has
sound technical skills coupled with a mean streak.
|
| |
|
Ahmed Al-Dossari
|
(Al-Hilal) age 22, 12 caps
|
|
A solid
defender who has impressed for the national team when called
upon.
|
| |
|
Abdullah Zubramawi
|
(Al-Ahli) age 24, 83 caps
|
|
Excelled in
qualifying as a man-marker, notably snuffing out dangerous Iran
striker Ali Daei. Experienced former captain of the Saudi youth
team.
|
| |
|
Hussein Sulimani
|
(Al-Ahli) age 21, 40 caps
|
|
Left-back
considered one of Asia's best players and said to be the object
of interest from European clubs. Has a quick temper which has
seen him sent off too often for his own liking.
|
| |
|
Mohammed Al-Sahafi
|
(Al-Ittihad) age 22, 4 caps
|
|
A stout,
barrel-chested defender who likes to throw his weight around.
Likely to be used as a substitute in France.
|
| |
|
Abdulaziz Al-Janoubi
|
(Al-Nasr) age 24, 3 caps
|
|
Has made
great strides over the past year but may only be along for the
ride in France.
|
| |
|
Midfielders
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
Khamis Al-Owairan
|
(Al-Hilal) age 24, 48 caps
|
|
He may not
have the ball-control skills of his cousin Saeed Owairan but he
makes up for it with tenacity in the tackle.
|
| |
|
Khamis Al-Zahrani
|
(Al-Ittihad) age 21, 10 caps
|
|
Plcked from
obscurity by former national coach Eduardo Vingada and haus been
used as a substitute by successive national team bosses.
|
| |
|
Ibrahim Al-Harbi
|
(Al-Nasr) age 22 (23 on July 10), 47 caps
|
|
Former regular with the Saudi youth team who can also play in
defence.
|
| |
|
Khalid Al-Temawi
|
(Al-Hilal) age 30, 47 caps
|
|
Scored the
critical goal in Saudi league semifinal that put Al-Hilal into
the final play-offs this season. A specialist at shooting from
long range, he was a key player in the Saudis' 1996 Asian Cup
triumph.
|
| |
|
Khalid Al-Muwallid
|
(Al-Ahli) age 26, 91 caps
|
|
Left-sided
midfielder with a habit of scoring vital goals. Has great
experience and was one of the stars at USA 94. Scored the
penalty which won the 1996 Asian Cup for the Saudis. Top-scored
in qualifying with five goals.
|
| |
|
Hamzah Saleh
|
(Al-Ahli) age 31, 38 caps
|
|
Another veteran of
the 1994 World Cup. Has silenced critics who said he was over
the hill with a superb season for his club.
|
| |
|
Fuad Amin
|
(Al-Shabab) age 25, 95 caps
|
|
Scored two goals at
USA 94 but subsequently his form dipped badly. Seems to have
regained his touch and led his club to the Saudi championship
last year.
|
| |
|
Nawaf Al-Temiyat
|
(Al-Hilal) age 22, 0 caps
|
|
One of three
brothers in the Saudi professional league. Considered one of the
new hopes of Saudi soccer but faces tough competition for a
starting spot.
|
| |
|
Forwards
|
|
Player
|
Team, Age, Caps
|
|
Sami Al-Jaber
|
(Al-Hilal) age 25, 85 caps
|
|
Dazzling striker
with match-winning ability. A fixture on Asian select teams and
a star performer with the national squad. Quick and technically
skilful, uses his low centre of gravity to great effect.
|
| |
|
Fahad Al-Mehallel
|
(Al-Shabab) age 27, 85 caps
|
|
A big match
performer who grabs vital goals for both club and country.
|
| |
|
Saeed Al-Owairan
|
(Al-Shabab) age 30, 55 caps
|
|
Ran the length
of the pitch to score an unforgettable goal against Belgium at
USA 94. Has lost some of his pace since then and was banned from
the team in 1996 for alleged off-field misconduct. Not in the
best of form.
|
| |
|
Obeid Al-Dossari
|
(Al-Wehda) age 22, 61 caps
|
|
Right
midfielder who emerged as a star while playing for Saudi Olympic
team but has failed to recapture that form in the league this
year.
|
| |
|
Youssef Al-Thyniyan
|
(Al-Hilal) age 34, 86 caps
|
|
The
grandfather of the squad whose experience will be vital for the
younger players.
|
| |
|
Ibrahim Al-Shahrani
|
(Al-Ahli) age 23, 19 caps
|
|
Used mainly
as a substitute, his four goals in qualifying should assure him
of a place in the 22.
| 0
| |
|
Saad Al-Dossari
|
(Al-Riyadh) age 21, 0 caps
|
|
A gifted left
winger who may go to France if only to gain more experience.
|
