The two guys on flanks , 2 defenders and the soft defensive MF is their main problem every one knows it but in Asia they play with flair and they always prefer attacking defenders
But internationally they continue to get exposed as their two flank defenders are close to wing players and not defenders.
They did had more powerful build defenders sitting on bench but they wanted the flair of flank players and it always costs them games.
They also had a 6'3 guy on bench who could have helped them win some high balls he is not as agile on field but his height may have been advantageous
When they played Germans , Germans were also exposing the two wide defenders , by passing behind them long balls , one of them specially does not marks his guy and Russians exposed that same guy again. This defender is brilliant attacking moving forward but he is not international clibre Defender they should just push him into FW position so he can stay in forward position
They really messed up with to many skinny players in defensive positions
If they just played with
4 (OUT AND OUT DEFENDERS) in back 4 they would just be a much much balanced side they need to realize they are not BRAZIL
Two central guys (Otayf ~ super skinny finess player but slow and Al Jasim in 35 year old)
The coach subs out the younger guy and leaves the 35 year old last 20 min
So their MF players who should be physical as ...f^^^k as the skinny and one guy is oldest player in team so it was a NICE OPEN central lane for Russia thru middle
Saudia really need to Fix their Last 4 !!!! , make sure they are strongest defenders forget about Overlap runs like Brazil Fix the Defence
Finally they have one of fastest guy in Asia , not sure why he was on bench considering
he scored the goals which qualified Saudia to finals. He should have been a no brainer choice
When he was subbed in , the coach removed a defensive midfielder and that too someone who was younger then Al Jasim (35 year old ). So really there was no one defending in midfield
For their defensive Mf choice Otayaf , the guy is a fantastic playmaker very finess
But sadly in Saudia he is stuck in a club where only position he can play is defensive midfield and this is why he got selected for Saudia in that position. He is not a defensive MF guy
But this physique is not ideal for someone who is a densive midfielder
This is what a defensive Midfielder is suppose to do
- Saudis only have 2 guys who can win ball and they are the two center back, ideally they should add the other 2 CBs and put them on flanks at least they will secure the defence side
- Then they can put more physical guy in defensive midfield role
I mean they had this guy for defensive midfield position
Training in England Youth Leagues before moving to Saudia
Not even called up for national team
It comes down to this ...Saudis they have no clue how to select players with right potential for World cup
