Last week witnessed two amazing goals from Saudi clubs. The first was from Al-Ittifaq vs. Al-Ahli in what we can say as an Olympic league (under 23 years old)
The second goal was from Emad Al-Hosani from Al-Ahli vs. Al-Ansaar
Emad is Oman national team star, and he is famous by his bicycle kicks, watch these ones when he was playing at Al-Rayyan from Qatar:
and this one with Omani national team vs. Malaysia
and this one with Oman vs. Saudi Arabia in 2014 WCQ
This is a common saying about football in Arabic, and it has a lot of truth in it. When there is a trusted keeper in the team, he gives the whole team the confidence and balance to go forward and win. Spain is enjoying these days the fun of having the best keeper in the world. Everyone remembers the great saves Casillas did in the WC final, or the PKs vs. Italy in Euro 2008.
Do you remember Spain the old times? Here is a little tour:
Spain had what who was considered as a great keeper, Luis Arconada. He played in 1978, 1982 WCs and 1980, 1984 Euros. At the 1982 WC at Spain, Arconada made history when North Ireland won their first ever game in WC finals, against the host, Spain 1-0
At the 1984 Euro final, he did what a keeper should never ever ever do in any final, especially it was the second half,
Arconada did it again in the WC Qualifications vs. Wales when Spain lost 0-3, but was lucky enough to still quality to the Mondial. Just watch the first goal here:
At 1986 WC, Spain got, another brilliant keeper, Andoni Zubizarreta, I don't know how and why he made 125 Caps, and participated in 3 WCs and 2 Euros.
Zubizarreta, never was really great keeper in my eyes, he was just normal. From time to time, he would do something like this friendly game in 1997 against France:
Then, he did it again : )
This time it was against Nigeria in 1998 WC, which they lost the game 2-3 and exited the WC from the group stages for the first time since 1978:
Compare those keepers with Iker Casillas roles in WC 2010 title:
One of the best things that happened in the recent years in the Football world is the return of the big giant, Uruguay. Personally, I was surprised but mesmerized with that strong return. I thought Uruguay football was only a history and will never make it again, especially with a very pale qualifying results to the World Cup. Remember the 0-4 defeat vs. the already qualified Brazil?
Uruguay is building its big fan base around the world again after the WC Semi-Final and the Copa America.
I found this wonderful video about the "Mundialito" competition which was held in 1980 in Montevideo. Mundialito means "The Little World Cup" and it was the 50th anniversary of the first World Cup tournament. All previous WC winners were invited. England declined, so the best team who didn't win the cup was invited, that is Netherlands, who reached the final in 1974 and 1978.
Uruguay did an amazing tournament, beating Netherlands 2-0, Italy 2-0, and facing the famous Tele Santana Brazilian team in the final. The final ended exactly like what happened in 1950th World Cup final, 2-1 for Uruguay.
It is the Barcelona and Spain team identity, "The Tiki Taka". It is what brought the World Cup and Euro to Spain and the big boom for Barcelona since 2010.
Here is a wonderful video explaining its tactical concept:
Till the start of Yesterday El Clasico I was naming Mourinho as the best coach in our planet today. However, after yesterday defeat, I am doubting that statement, and at least might give that title to Guardiola.
Coaches today play chess, and it was apparent that after the first 30 minutes, Guardiola touches on the game, and how he reacted to very difficult start was impressive. Iniesta often came in between the midfield and to the left. Messi much in the back to give some great passes and move the play left, right and deep forward. Cesc and Sanchez in the front to score from any mistake. At the same time, seems Mourniho didn't react well to the game and just lost it.
This picture shows it all:
Iniesta, Messi, Casillas, Xavi, Dani Alves (with that order) were the stars of the game. There is a very nice video showing Iniesta touches in the game:
I always stated that the decline of the Saudi football was never because of lack of talents but because those talents don't get enough attention to develop and polish their skills. Also, because of lack of the team plays and discipline in general.
Here is one new promising star named Salem Al-Dosari from Hilal, he is 19 years old only, and just up to last January he was not playing for any team, he was a player in "Hawari", that is district teams.
In 7 months, he was in Colombia with the national team for the Youth World Cup U-20 where he scored a goal and qualified to the second round.
and just few days ago, he scored the third in a 3-0 victory in the famous Saudi derby
I think if that player was born in Italy, he will be media super star already and the next new thing as Roberto Baggio or Bruno Conti. Every few years we get great talented player, who stars a lot, then start to decline in 3 or 4 years maximum.
As the clock is ticking towards the FIFA annual award, and seems Messi will win it (though there are little doubts that Ronaldo will compete), it is great just to relax and watch the magical touches of this phenomena. This is a great video, more of artistic camera angles than actions from the normal cameras, the one who collected these clips got very good taste of football.
Yesterday Saudi Arabia managed to beat Thailand 3-0 after very weak referee performance from Hong Kong. The referee gave two yellow cards to a Thai player #16
what I liked most is the way the Thai player was acting too polite in front of the ref at the second yellow card. Other players, go directly outside the pitch when they see the second yellow, but this player was smarter :)
The ref also didn't award a Saudi player for a deserved red card,
The whole refereeing performance showed its results at the end when he lost control of the game
Saudi players were also to be blamed for the loss of control, and today the Saudi Football Federation decided to punish those players by deducting their winning compensations.
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