Saudi Arabia vs Poland: Can Green Falcons secure spot in Round of 16?
Saudi Arabia declared a national holiday just one day after their stunning 2-1 win over Argentina on Tuesday.
Now, the question is can the team that entered the 2022 World Cup with the longest odds of lifting the trophy ensure the country’s national party rolls on into December?
Saudi Arabia are one win away from clinching a spot in the knockout round, and they will get the chance to secure qualification on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they face Poland inside the Education City Stadium in Doha.
The White and Red, meanwhile, will feel the pressure of a must-win game with Lionel Messi and a hungry Argentina squad awaiting on the group’s final matchday.
From hunter to hunted, Saudi Arabia flipped their World Cup script after 90 minutes of intelligent defending and shrewd attacking against Messi and company.
Saudi Arabia scored on two of their three shots, with Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari each finding the back of the net in the second half. Al-Dawsari’s right-footed curler was the winner that turned Group C and the entire tournament on their heads.
Argentina were called offside on 10 occasions thanks to a high defensive line from Saudi Arabia. It will be fascinating to see if The Green Falcons stay with this approach against a Polish attack not as creative and more direct, with Robert Lewandowski serving as the focal point.
Lewandowski had a glorious opportunity to score his first World Cup goal and give Poland all three points in their opening match against Mexico, but a poor penalty was saved by Mexican hero Guillermo Ochoa.
In total, it was a dull performance for Poland’s attack in the nil-nil draw, and curing those scoring woes should be a huge point of emphasis heading into Saturday. Forwards like Nicola Zalewski and Jakub Kamiński will need to rise to the occasion in support of Lewandowski, but Arkadiusz Milik could be called to start and give Poland more dynamism in attack.
Poland have not won in their last seven games at major tournaments, failing to reach the knockout round in Euro 2020 or the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A loss or draw against Saudi Arabia on Saturday would likely ensure that drought continues.
Saudi Arabia left back Yasir Al Shahrani suffered a fractured jaw after a collision in the win over Argentina and will miss this game. Midfielder Salman Al Faraj is also a doubt after leaving the Argentina match in the first half due to injury.
Poland are expected to have their full 26-man squad fit and available for selection.
