In the zone: Fans flock to Mrsool Park for festival of football

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia misplaced 2-0 to Poland at Education City in Qatar on Saturday and stay on three factors after two video games in Group C of the World Cup.
Here are 5 issues we discovered from the recreation:
Saudi Arabia deserved one thing
It was an entertaining encounter that ought to have featured extra objectives, many of which might have gone to Saudi Arabia. There might have been issues that the victory over Argentina was so massive that it could be tough for coach Herve Renard to get his gamers off cloud 9 and deal with the process at hand, however that was not the subject. The downside was only a lack of scientific ending. But there was lots to like about the present, with Salem Al-Dawsari and Mohamed Kanno significantly spectacular.
Saudi Arabia had extra of the possession and extra of the probabilities. Even if we take away the missed penalty, there have been lots of alternatives for them to rating. Unlike in the win over Argentina when the first two efforts resulted in objectives, there was simply no well past Wojciech Szczesny. The Poland goalkeeper had an excellent recreation and there have been examples of pictures flying vast and over from good positions.
On one other day, Saudi Arabia would have taken some extent from this recreation however they have been punished by refereeing choices, their very own errors, not taking their probabilities and Poland making the most of theirs.
Tough first half for the Hawks
Saudi Arabia performed properly in the first half, which lasted 55 minutes, however all the main incidents in the interval went towards them. Firstly, Poland’s Matty Cash ought to have been despatched off. The Aston Villa defender was booked for a late sort out, however simply minutes later by some means bought away with a harmful problem on Mohammed Al-Burayk.
Had a second yellow been proven, after 39 minutes Cash wouldn’t have been in a complicated place to move to Robert Lewandowski, who then arrange Piotr Zielinski to fireplace residence. It was a purpose that got here utterly towards the run of play, however that is what occurs in football and Saudi Arabia shall be aggrieved that Poland nonetheless had 11 males on the pitch.
And then there was the penalty that got here in added time when Saleh Al-Shehri was introduced down in the space. In actuality, Salem Al-Dawsari’s spot-kick was not the greatest, however Al-Burayk ought to have executed higher with the rebound. Going stage at half-time towards 10 males would have produced a really totally different second half.
This is a brand new, assured Saudi Arabia
What a distinction a win towards Argentina makes. If somebody tuned in with out realizing something about the groups, they’d have thought that the males in inexperienced have been the favourites, with gamers lively at the highest stage, and that these in blue and white have been the underdogs.
There have been questions on whether or not Renard would line up his crew the similar means for the second recreation, and he did. The similar, daring, excessive line was there, the similar strain and much more vitality. Saudi Arabia flew out of the blocks heading to Poland, who failed to impress of their opening 0-0 draw with Mexico. The Poles have been clearly confused, as three yellow playing cards collected in the first half of the first half confirmed.
This is now a Saudi crew that is aware of it will probably bother European and South American opposition and never again down. This is an perspective that should proceed.
Saudi Arabia has residence benefit
Saturday’s recreation might have formally taken place in Qatar, nevertheless it might have been Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam, such have been the numbers of Saudi followers in the stadium. As properly as the amount there was additionally high quality, with noise ranges reaching heights not often heard at the match.
The environment was one thing totally different and it spurred the gamers on. It additionally rattled the Poles who actually struggled to settle. They have been booed when in possession, in distinction to the cheers that greeted Saudi Arabian possession. It took a gap purpose earlier than the Poles started to look even barely snug. Whatever occurs, the Saudi Arabian followers and the gamers have come collectively to make one of the tales of the World Cup, and Mexico won’t be trying ahead to visiting the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Wednesday.
There continues to be every little thing to play for and no cause to really feel down
Fans could have to wait and see what occurs in Saturday’s late recreation between Argentina and Mexico to know precisely what to do, however no matter occurs, everybody would have accepted this place earlier than the World Cup began. Three factors from the first two video games means the Hawks are in management of their future. A win over Mexico means a spot in the knockout phases is assured. It stays to be seen whether or not a draw shall be sufficient.
Coach Renard could have to wait and see what occurs with gamers who collected hits, however there are nonetheless lots of causes to be cheerful. Saudi Arabia has proven that they’ll reside with their opponents. Glory awaits and with tens of 1000’s of followers behind them subsequent week then something can occur. The defeat towards Poland needn’t be a devastating one and no person ought to really feel discouraged.