The faces changed, the tactical drawing changed, and some players moved between more than one position, but the identity of the Saudi national team did not change against Iraq. Control of the ball, offensive productivity, defensive security, and reverse pressure through which “Al-Akhdar” maintained the image in which it appeared since the start of the Gulf Cup, to come out with a new victory with two goals for nothing, and pass to the semi-finals, topping its group with a full score.
The Saudi national team completed the first stage with three victories, during which it scored 6 goals, against a clean sheet in the three matches, to achieve at the same time a record that had been absent for 52 years in the Gulf Football Cup, after it surpassed the group stage with a full score for the first time since “Gulf 3” in 1974 in Kuwait, when it achieved a complete series of victories on its way to the final match.
Against Iraq in particular, the Greek Giorgos Donis tested his team's ability to maintain its identity while changing a number of basic elements, and the entry of a number of substitute players did not affect the form of the Saudi team or its ability to impose its style, as superiority continued on both sides of the field, with possession of the ball and control of the tempo of the confrontation, in addition to controlling the reverse pressure when it was lost.
Sofa Score numbers reveal the extent of Saudi superiority in the confrontation. The “Green” possession percentage reached 57 percent compared to 43 percent for Iraq, and the Saudi team players shot 12 times compared to only 3 shots for the Iraqi team, while the expected goals percentage for Saudi Arabia was 1.55 compared to 0.30 for Iraq.
Maintaining the team's general shape was not linked to a single tactical drawing, as Denis changed his method against Iraq, after he had become accustomed to relying on the number 10 player, and this time he went to 4-4-2, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Abdullah Al Salem together in the front line.
The Greek coach explained after the match that he always preferred to play with the number 10 player present, but the circumstances of the confrontation led him to a different choice, especially with the importance of resting Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, in addition to the lack of readiness of Muhammad Al-Qahtani due to his previous illness.
Donis said: “We changed the plan this time by playing 4-4-2, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Abdullah Al Salem together in the front line.”
The changes did not stop at the basic drawing of the confrontation, but rather extended to moving the players on the field according to its course. In the 30th minute, after stopping drinking water, Donis Sultan Mandash was transferred from the left wing, where he started the match, to the right wing, while Muhammad Abu Al-Shamat moved to the left side.
The players implemented the change without the team’s rhythm faltering or its intensity diminishing, so that Saudi control continued despite the change in positions, in an image that reinforced the idea of the team’s ability to maintain its style even with the change of names and roles on the field.
In addition to flexibility in drawing and positions, another weapon appeared against Iraq that Denis has worked on since his arrival, represented by set pieces, after the Saudi team scored for the second match in a row in this way.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat sources, during the training session that preceded the confrontation with Iraq, Denis focused on set pieces throughout the session, before Abdullah Al Salem translated that work by scoring one of the two goals of victory from a set piece, after Hassan Kadesh had scored in the same way against Oman.
According to the same sources, the interest in this aspect was not related to the Iraq match alone, as Donis worked since his arrival on set pieces defensively and offensively during 14 training sessions, which was reflected in the team’s performance on both sides.
Denis talked about the details related to the set-piece takers, explaining that the team lost its first choice before the start of the tournament by excluding Musab Al-Jawir, while Saleh Abu Al-Shamat comes after him in the ranking of takers.
He said: “In the match against Oman, we were better at set pieces, because the main attacker was present. Musab Al-Jawir is our best at executing set pieces, but he was excluded before the start of the tournament, and after him comes Saleh Abu Al-Shamat. In the second half, we tried to improve the technique of executing free kicks, and we succeeded in scoring.”
While the changes, results and tactical work gave Denis positive indicators before the semi-finals, injuries remained the aspect that most worried him, especially after the injuries of Zakaria Hawsawi and Hassan Timbukti, in an extension of the series of absences that the team faced during the tournament.
Donis described what was happening as “unnatural,” asking his players to be more careful and take care of themselves. He said: “I ask the players to take care of themselves.” We lost Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Hassan Kadesh, and Alaa Al Hajji, and I ask the players to be more careful.”
Between changing elements, drawings, and positions, what remained constant for the Saudi team during its three matches was its ability to impose its style and maintain its balance. After 6 goals, a clean sheet, and three victories, the “Greens” were eliminated from the group stage in a way that confirms that Denis was able to change faces against Iraq, without changing the team’s identity.
