A new era begins in earnest for Asian giants Saudi Arabia on Thursday when esteemed coach Herve Renard kicks off his reign with a friendly against Mali.
The Green Falcons had been without a permanent boss since Juan Antonio Pizzi departed in the wake of January’s unsatisfactory round-of-16 exit at the Asian Cup. This decision to bide their time proved wise when the Frenchman resigned from Morocco in July.
Here are the talking points ahead of a first run-out at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium:
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Renard has arrived with a reputation as a master of international football in Africa.
This is what AFCON wins with minnows Zambia and heavyweights Ivory Coast, plus returning the Atlas Lions to the World Cup after a 20-year absence, will do for a tactician.
Now, comes a first taste of Asia. Lessons learned guiding Morocco’s Muslim players will help, although AFCON elimination in the round of 16 by unfancied Benin causes concern.
An injection of discipline by banning mobile phones in camp is reminiscent of Bert van Marwijk – and his revitalising reign ended with cherished World Cup 2018 qualification.
THE RIGHT BLEND
A first squad made an exciting first impression.
This mix of youth and experience contained six uncapped call-ups, another opportunity for electric Ettifaq winger Mohammed Al Kwikbi – overlooked for the World Cup and Asian Cup – and the timely return of refined Al Hilal centre midfielder Salman Al Faraj after long-term injury. With no obvious alternative present, the 30-year-old may have to fulfil the playmaker role favoured in Renard’s 4-2-3-1 system.
Players like Mohamed Kanno, Abdulrahman Al Dawsari and Hamdan Al Shamrani should transform into key cogs along the long road to World Cup 2022. Will they be unleashed against Mali, or held back?
YOUNG GUNS
It is the problem that won’t go away.
Al Ittihad’s Fahad Al Muwallad was only ever meant to be a stop-gap up front – and he’s now banned after a failed drugs test.
Renard, through necessity rather than design, has selected a trio of scoreless strikers who boast an average age under 20, two are uncapped and Ittihad’s Haroune Camara has just six.
Promise, however, is provided by Firas Al Buraikan netting the only goal for champions Al Nassr at Al Fateh last week.
Yemen will be swatted aside in Tuesday’s opening World Cup 2022 qualifier. But a premium option must emerge for the third round.
