Historical victory for Saudi in U20 WC

At a first glance, for an outsider, the 2-0 victory for Saudi vs. Croatia in 2011 WC U20 might not seem a big deal, but anyone knowing the Asian and Saudi football realizes how important this victory was.


The victory came at the worst stage for the Saudi football in 30 years. Saudi football been declining slowly since the big bang defeat in 2002 0-8 vs. Germany. They lost in every frontier lately, didn't qualify for 2010 WC, was the last in its group in Asian Cup 2011, did bad in club level in different competitions, changed coaches like changing shirts. The story is too long.

What makes it worse, that the Youth teams seemed to be impotent too. In the past Saudi had very good talents in youth teams and was always an important source to the first team that had a lot of great memories till it reached the peak in 1994 WC when they qualified to second round.

One of many examples is Fahad Ghishiyan who scored the memorable goal vs. Sweden in 94 WC



This player started to get local fame after his great performance in 1993 WC U19 when he was awarded as best player in the 0-0 tie vs. the Champ that year, Brazil



As I said, all of that was in the past. I was one of many who was pessimistic for the Saudi football future as we have not seen good youth teams since a while. And out of all of the darkness, a great light came out of the tunnel:

- It is the first victory for the U20 team since 1989. Actually it is the third victory ever (1985, 1989, and 2011).
- It seems that it will be the first time for the Saudi youth team to qualify to second round (next game is the most decisive against Guatemala).
- Well, it was a deserved victory. It is not just the result, but the players did very good game, with good balance between skills, team spirit and team work.

Posted in: Saudi Arabia,Youth World Cup