The Green Falcons conclude their preparations for the match against Oman in the opening round of the Arab Cup
The Saudi national football team, known as “Al-Akhdar” (The Green), continues its intensive preparations in the Qatari capital, Doha, where French coach Hervé Renard has put the final touches on the tactical plan with which it will face the brotherly Omani team, at the start of the two teams’ journey within the Arab Cup tournament held under the umbrella of FIFA.
Details of the final training session and a focus on technical aspects
Sunday evening's training session took place at the QWSC's tournament training grounds and was marked by high concentration from both the players and coaching staff. Renard began with the usual warm-up exercises before moving on to specific technical drills, starting with ball possession exercises in tight spaces, aimed at improving passing speed and decision-making under pressure. Following this, the coach divided the players into groups for tactical drills in small squares, which enhances coordination between the lines and helps implement the team's intended playing style. The session concluded with a crucial segment dedicated to set pieces, both defensively and offensively, reflecting Renard's understanding of their importance in deciding close matches.
As part of his commitment to managing the players' physical loads, the players who participated as mainstays with their clubs in the quarter-final matches of the King's Cup were limited to performing light recovery exercises in the health club attached to the delegation's residence, in order to avoid fatigue and ensure their full readiness for the match.
Historical context and importance of the championship
This match comes as part of the Arab Cup, which has returned to be held under the umbrella of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in its edition held in Qatar, which gained great importance as it constituted a real operational rehearsal for the State of Qatar before it hosted the 2022 World Cup finals. The tournament is an important platform for Arab teams to prove their strength on the regional scene, and the matches between Saudi Arabia and Oman always have a special competitive character as a “Gulf derby” that enjoys wide public interest.
The importance and impact of the opening match
Both teams understand that securing a positive result in their opening match is key to advancing to the next round in a tough group. A win would provide a huge morale boost and confidence for the remainder of the tournament, while a loss would place significant pressure on the team in the following two matches. The game is expected to be tactically cautious, with each coach aiming to impose their style while ensuring their defense is secure to avoid conceding an early goal that could complicate matters.
The Saudi national team is scheduled to conclude its final preparations with a final training session on Monday evening at the same stadium, where the media will be allowed to attend the first quarter of an hour of the training, in accordance with the tournament regulations, before heading out to face this important Arab challenge.
