Saudi Arabia is the first Arab team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia

[Saif al-Arab]

Saudi Arabia is the first Arab team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia

Qualification goal scorer Fahad al-Muwalad of Saudi Arabia fights for the ball with Yuto Nagatomo of Japan. (Reuters)

Staff writer, Al Arabiya English
Tuesday, 5 September 2017

Saudi Arabia has qualified to the world cup in Russia 2018 after beating Japan 1-0 in Jeddah.

Fahad al-Muwalad who came in as a substitute secured the win after scoring a screamer in to the top corner of the Japanese goal in the second half.

The goal came after intricate passing football allowed midfielder Nawaf al-Abed to slide through a sublime pass putting al-Muwalad in front of goal ahead of the backpeddling Japanese defenders.

Nawaf al-Abed celebrating after the win in Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s coach, Dutch Bert van Marwijk, celebrated his side’s first world cup appearance since Germany 2006.

Iran and Japan have already secured places at Russia 2018 as winners of Groups A and B while South Korea secured the second position in Group A.

Saudi Arabia's win made them the first Arab team to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup with Syria yet to play Australia in the play off for the fifth Asian seat.

Egypt and Tunisia, who are playing in the African Qualifiers, are also close to securing spots in Russia after Egypt beat Uganda 1 - 0 and Tunisia Drew 2 - 2 with the Demcoratic Republic of Congo.

Syria clinched the third spot in Group A on Tuesday when Omar Al Soma’s late goal earned Ayman Hakeem’s side a dramatic draw with Iran that pushed Uzbekistan out of the playoff positions.

Syria players celebrating after the dramatic draw with Iran at the Azadi Stadium. (AFP)


Syria took the lead in Tehran and became the first team to score against Iran in 13 qualification matches when Tamer Haj Mohamed netted from close range after Al Soma’s free kick had been fumbled by Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

A double from Sardar Azmoun looked to have given Iran all three points until Al Soma - playing only his second match for Syria since his return from a self-imposed exile - slid the ball through Beiranvand’s legs to level deep into stoppage time.

The draw meant Syria finished level on 13 points with Uzbekistan but took third place on goal difference.

(Reuters)

Last Update: Wednesday, 6 September 2017 KSA 05:11 - GMT 02:11

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/sp...a-can-secure-a-World-Cup-berth-in-Russia.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Abdullah_Sports_City

The King Abdullah Sports City is a world class stadium and the local Jeddawi home crowd (almost 70.000 people) create one of the best atmospheres in the AFC.



Wonderful to read the brotherly comments from across the Arab world after yesterday's game and qualification. Especially our Iraqi brothers and sisters were active in congratulating KSA.

Hopefully our Egyptian, Syrian, Tunisian and Moroccan brothers will be next so that we can have 5 Arab teams in Russia next year.

 

[EgyptianAmerican]

Saudi Arabia is the first Arab team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia

Qualification goal scorer Fahad al-Muwalad of Saudi Arabia fights for the ball with Yuto Nagatomo of Japan. (Reuters)

Staff writer, Al Arabiya English
Tuesday, 5 September 2017

Saudi Arabia has qualified to the world cup in Russia 2018 after beating Japan 1-0 in Jeddah.

Fahad al-Muwalad who came in as a substitute secured the win after scoring a screamer in to the top corner of the Japanese goal in the second half.

The goal came after intricate passing football allowed midfielder Nawaf al-Abed to slide through a sublime pass putting al-Muwalad in front of goal ahead of the backpeddling Japanese defenders.

Nawaf al-Abed celebrating after the win in Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s coach, Dutch Bert van Marwijk, celebrated his side’s first world cup appearance since Germany 2006.

Iran and Japan have already secured places at Russia 2018 as winners of Groups A and B while South Korea secured the second position in Group A.

Saudi Arabia's win made them the first Arab team to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup with Syria yet to play Australia in the play off for the fifth Asian seat.

Egypt and Tunisia, who are playing in the African Qualifiers, are also close to securing spots in Russia after Egypt beat Uganda 1 - 0 and Tunisia Drew 2 - 2 with the Demcoratic Republic of Congo.

Syria clinched the third spot in Group A on Tuesday when Omar Al Soma’s late goal earned Ayman Hakeem’s side a dramatic draw with Iran that pushed Uzbekistan out of the playoff positions.

Syria players celebrating after the dramatic draw with Iran at the Azadi Stadium. (AFP)


Syria took the lead in Tehran and became the first team to score against Iran in 13 qualification matches when Tamer Haj Mohamed netted from close range after Al Soma’s free kick had been fumbled by Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

A double from Sardar Azmoun looked to have given Iran all three points until Al Soma - playing only his second match for Syria since his return from a self-imposed exile - slid the ball through Beiranvand’s legs to level deep into stoppage time.

The draw meant Syria finished level on 13 points with Uzbekistan but took third place on goal difference.

(Reuters)

Last Update: Wednesday, 6 September 2017 KSA 05:11 - GMT 02:11

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/sp...a-can-secure-a-World-Cup-berth-in-Russia.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Abdullah_Sports_City

The King Abdullah Sports City is a world class stadium and the local Jeddawi home crowd (almost 70.000 people) create one of the best atmospheres in the AFC.



Wonderful to read the brotherly comments from across the Arab world after yesterday's game and qualification. Especially our Iraqi brothers and sisters were active in congratulating KSA.

Hopefully our Egyptian, Syrian, Tunisian and Moroccan brothers will be next so that we can have 5 Arab teams in Russia next year.

I'm just grateful for the positive and wonderful news, hopefully no trolls ruin it.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

I'm just grateful for the positive and wonderful news, hopefully no trolls ruin it.

There are thankfully very few of them on the Arab section (for obvious reasons), bro. Honestly I could not care less about them as they are irrelevant. Just take a look at all the friendly comments from the Arab world and entire world in fact after our qualification. BTW I predict Egypt to join KSA next alongside with Tunisia. Quite sure of that although it is not decided yet. Morocco will hopefully qualify as well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/905472705608257536

https://twitter.com/x/status/905468183246761988

 

[pin gu]

congratulations
hope you do well in world cup too

 

[EgyptianAmerican]

This has to be my new profile picture.

 

[AmirPatriot]

They beat Japan? Nice.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

congratulations
hope you do well in world cup too

Thank you. Good luck to Iran as well. Despite the current rivalry, success for Asian/Middle Eastern teams is something good for football in our region.

BTW I was surprised by the well wishes for quite a few Iranians and vice versa in the comments below this video (viewed by 250.000 users).

Check it out yourself:

“GIANTS REMAIN GIANTS,” ECSTATIC SAUDI ARABIA REACT TO ACHIEVING WORLD CUP DREAM

/ Sep 06 2017 /

Jeddah: It was mission accomplished for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as Fahad Al Muwallad’s goal just after the hour saw the Green Falcons defeat Japan 1-0 to return to the FIFA World Cup stage for the first time in over a decade.

By securing the runners-up spot in Group B, Bert van Marwijk’s men took the fourth and final automatic qualification to Russia 2018 joining their Matchday 10 visitors, Korea Republic, Japan and Islamic Republic of Iran.

For the Saudi Arabia players, the support of the massed ranks of their fans were key to ending their World Cup finals drought that begun after the 2006 edition.

Captain Osama Hawsawi: “This achievement comes as a result of the support and the efforts of everyone involved, especially our loyal fans.”

Saudi Arabia’s top scorer in the qualifiers, Nawaf Al Abed: “When someone gets all this appreciation and love, it is natural that success will follow.”

Defender Omar Hawsawi summed up the feeling from the team: “Thank you fans! Whatever we say, it’s not enough to do justice to you. You deserve this happiness.”

Saudi Arabia captain Osama Hawsawi.

The Green Falcons have long been considered one of Asia’s most successful national teams, having won the AFC Asian Cup three times and qualified for the World Cup four consecutive times since debuting at the 1994 tournament, where they reached the Round of 16.

The two-tournament absence from the world’s international stage at the 2010 and 2014 editions, though, comprised something of a slump for Saudi Arabia and also saw back-to-back Group stage eliminations from the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 and 2015.

Fahad Al Muwallad’s vital goal took Saudi Arabia to Russia 2018.

Now, though, the successful qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup has the Green Falcons believing a return to past glories is on the horizon.

Midfielder Yahya Al Shehri: “The task was difficult, but the match against Japan showed that giants remain giants.”

Matchwinner Al Muwallad: “When our spirit comes to the fore, the Green Falcons are unstoppable.”

Photos: Lagardère Sports

http://www.the-afc.com/2018-fifa-wo...udi-arabia-react-to-achieving-world-cup-dream

This has to be my new profile picture.

MBS looked genuinely pleased. He seems to be an advocate for sports and improving the infrastructure of it in KSA. Most importantly he has removed all the remaining idiotic restrictions on women and physical education.

Anyway now I am curious if KSA will have a team playing in the FIFA Club World Cup this year.

Looking somewhat promising for Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_AFC_Champions_League

The Egyptian ( ) Al-Ahly is also a good candidate for wining the African Champions League.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_CAF_Champions_League

Too soon for final judgments though although it would be great if an Saudi Arabian and Egyptian team could represent Arab/Middle Eastern/Asian/African club football on a large international football scene.

 

[Muhammed45]

They beat Japan? Nice.

Allahu Akbar
Shia Rafidi spotted, booooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm!

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Allahu Akbar
Shia Rafidi spotted, booooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm!

You do realize that the top scorer of the entire World Cup 2018 qualification tournament (Muhammad Al-Sahlawi) is a Saudi Arabian Shia and one of our main strikers?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification

You do realize that we have a few Shias in our team? You do realize that nobody cares about the sect of our players?

You do realize that you are not on the Middle East/Africa section of the forum but the Arab section of the forum where trolling is very rare?

Go display your pathetic butthurt elsewhere. More to come as there will be more Arab teams that will qualify (Insha'Allah) for the World Cup next year other than KSA.

@EgyptianAmerican I see that I was too optimistic but this is after all PDF.

 

[Mohammed al-Faruqi]

Congratulation

 

[lastofthepatriots]

Nice

 

[The SC]

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Congrats Saudi. Just a question. I have heard Arabic countries doesnt give citizenship to non arabs but I have seen Blacks running for Bahrain and some Arab countries. Here in this team there seems to be a black. Are they SA citizens?

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Congrats Saudi. Just a question. I have heard Arabic countries doesnt give citizenship to non arabs but I have seen Blacks running for Bahrain and some Arab countries. Here in this team there seems to be a black. Are they SA citizens?

Thank you.

Yes, they are citizens (born and breed in KSA for generations) and they are called Afro-Arabs. They compromise about 5-10% of KSA's population. Some of them are mixed with local Arabs while others are not. Most of the Afro-Arabs are originally from Horn of Africa, Swahili Coast (the name Swahili is of Arabic origin), Sahel (the name is of Arabic origin), East Africa and West Africa. The vast majority are descendants of people who settled in Arabia due to Hajj, economic reasons or political ones. There is also the slavery factor like in the "new world" (Americas). Although an African community (Horn of Africa) was found in Arabia in pre-Islamic times as well.

BTW Afro-Arab communities exist in every Arab country and African communities are also found in every Middle Eastern country. Even in Caucasus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro-Arab

Northern Sudan is a perfect example of an Arab-Sub-Saharan mixture.

Anyway there is also a significant number of Black migrant workers in KSA (non-citizens) from all across the world (USA, Europe, Latin America, Horn of Africa, Arab world etc.) but none of such people have anything to do with our very own Afro-Arabs.

BTW some of the smaller GCC states with tiny native populations (such as Qatar and Bahrain) have naturalized non-local Afro-Arabs/Blacks (often from East Africa or Horn of Africa) by giving them citizenships in order for them to compete in sports. I am not a big fan of this policy although I understand that the likes of Qatar and Bahrain want to gain better sports results. If naturalizing an Kenyan runner helps then so be it. After all both parties have agreed to such a thing and as long as it is legal it can occur whether I like it or not.

This should answer your question.

P.S. It is not impossible for non-Arabs (non-locals) to gain citizenship at all. It is just a rather difficult process.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

https://twitter.com/x/status/905115168056770560

Respect to the Japanese fans. They behaved great before, during and after the match.

Nice

 

[Mirzah]

Saudi Arabia is the first Arab team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia

Qualification goal scorer Fahad al-Muwalad of Saudi Arabia fights for the ball with Yuto Nagatomo of Japan. (Reuters)

Staff writer, Al Arabiya English
Tuesday, 5 September 2017

Saudi Arabia has qualified to the world cup in Russia 2018 after beating Japan 1-0 in Jeddah.

Fahad al-Muwalad who came in as a substitute secured the win after scoring a screamer in to the top corner of the Japanese goal in the second half.

The goal came after intricate passing football allowed midfielder Nawaf al-Abed to slide through a sublime pass putting al-Muwalad in front of goal ahead of the backpeddling Japanese defenders.

Nawaf al-Abed celebrating after the win in Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s coach, Dutch Bert van Marwijk, celebrated his side’s first world cup appearance since Germany 2006.

Iran and Japan have already secured places at Russia 2018 as winners of Groups A and B while South Korea secured the second position in Group A.

Saudi Arabia's win made them the first Arab team to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup with Syria yet to play Australia in the play off for the fifth Asian seat.

Egypt and Tunisia, who are playing in the African Qualifiers, are also close to securing spots in Russia after Egypt beat Uganda 1 - 0 and Tunisia Drew 2 - 2 with the Demcoratic Republic of Congo.

Syria clinched the third spot in Group A on Tuesday when Omar Al Soma’s late goal earned Ayman Hakeem’s side a dramatic draw with Iran that pushed Uzbekistan out of the playoff positions.

Syria players celebrating after the dramatic draw with Iran at the Azadi Stadium. (AFP)


Syria took the lead in Tehran and became the first team to score against Iran in 13 qualification matches when Tamer Haj Mohamed netted from close range after Al Soma’s free kick had been fumbled by Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

A double from Sardar Azmoun looked to have given Iran all three points until Al Soma - playing only his second match for Syria since his return from a self-imposed exile - slid the ball through Beiranvand’s legs to level deep into stoppage time.

The draw meant Syria finished level on 13 points with Uzbekistan but took third place on goal difference.

(Reuters)

Last Update: Wednesday, 6 September 2017 KSA 05:11 - GMT 02:11

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/sp...a-can-secure-a-World-Cup-berth-in-Russia.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Abdullah_Sports_City

The King Abdullah Sports City is a world class stadium and the local Jeddawi home crowd (almost 70.000 people) create one of the best atmospheres in the AFC.



Wonderful to read the brotherly comments from across the Arab world after yesterday's game and qualification. Especially our Iraqi brothers and sisters were active in congratulating KSA.

Hopefully our Egyptian, Syrian, Tunisian and Moroccan brothers will be next so that we can have 5 Arab teams in Russia next year.

Congrats KSA, this world cup will be fun watching with KSA
Algeria didnt qualify? they played so well last time gave germany a scare