Saudi Arabia‘s Gulf Cup Strategy: A Bold Lineup and a Star Player’s Absence
The Saudi Arabian national football team is gearing up for the Arabian Gulf Cup, kicking off in Kuwait on December 21st and running through January 3rd. Coach Hervé Renard has unveiled his defensive strategy, sparking debate among fans and analysts alike.
Renard’s chosen defensive quartet for the opening match against Bahrain on December 22nd consists of Ali Al-Bulayhi and Hassan Timbukti as center-backs, flanked by Sultan al-Ghannam and Yasser Al-shahrani at full-back. This bold selection has prompted a strong reaction from prominent sports journalist mohammed Al-Sheikh.
In a series of tweets, Al-Sheikh voiced his concerns about the absence of a key player. He stated, “I say it and I bear responsibility for it. Our current team in this group will not be able to achieve the Gulf Cup without the presence of its legend, Salem Al-Dosari.”
directly addressing Coach renard, Al-Sheikh added a provocative suggestion: “Put me in the lineup, then Al-Bulaihi and Timbukti in the defense, and choose what you want.” He concluded his message wiht a show of support: “All the best to the Falcons.”
Al-Sheikh’s comments highlight the meaningful impact Al-Dosari’s absence is expected to have on the team’s performance. The Saudi team will face Yemen on wednesday and Iraq on December 28th in their remaining group stage matches.
The Arabian Gulf Cup is a prestigious regional tournament, and the Saudi team’s performance will be closely watched. The debate surrounding Al-Dosari’s exclusion and Renard’s strategic choices adds an extra layer of intrigue to the competition.
Saudi Arabia has won the Gulf Cup three times, in 1994 (UAE), 2002 (Saudi Arabia), and 2003 (kuwait). [1]
