Saudi national team lead by two in first half in friendly against Costa Rica.. PICTURES

By Syed Hosni

Friday, 8 September, 2023 10:55 PM

The Saudi national team ended the first-half proceedings with a late 2-0 lead against their opponents Costa Rica during a friendly clash between the two teams at St James’s Park in Newcastle. for the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar early next year..

Francesco Calvo scored a double with his feet in the 12th minute of the first half and Manfred Ujaldi in the 32nd minute of the first half.

Formation of Saudi Arabia

Goalkeeper: Nawaf Al-Aqidi

Defense Line: Saud Abdul Hamid – Ali Al-Bulaihi – Hassan Timbukti – Yasser Al-Shahrani

Midfield: Muhammad Khanno – Abdullah Al-Khaiberi – Ali Hasazi

Forward Line: Salem Al-Dosari – Firaz Al-Bryghan – Abdul Rahman Gharib

Saudi Arabia vs Costa Rica

The Saudi federation announced the appointment of Italian Roberto Mancini to succeed Frenchman Herve Renard after a tenure that lasted more than three years.

Saudi newspaper, Al-Sharq Al-Awsad said: “This is the Saudi team’s first appearance in almost six months, having lost 2-0 in their last match against Bolivia last March.”

He added, “With the Saudi national team in Group F, the Saudi Greens are set to embark on a quest to reclaim their continental glory when they enter the Asian Cup in the Qatari capital Doha early next year. They are followed by Oman, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand.”

Saudi Arabia vs Costa Rica match

And he continued: “Despite the short period between Mancini taking over the technical leadership of the national team and this clash, only a week, the features of the Italian coach will stand out in the next two friendlies and will draw particular attention. The experienced Italian coach on the football pitches will visit Al-Akhtar this evening. Turn toward.”

He indicated that apart from facing Costa Rica, the South Korean national team’s camp schedule will conclude next Tuesday with a second friendly test against the Saudi greens at the Newcastle camp.

History of conflict between Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica

Today’s clash with Costa Rica will be the fifth time in the history of the clash between the two teams and it will see a great win for Costa Rica as they have won three clashes to one win for Saudi Arabia..

Before the continental championship, the Saudi national team will participate in the Asian qualifiers for the next World Cup, where next November they will meet Jordan in their first official appearance under coach Mancini, in March 2024. The Tajikistan national team is next in the group and will meet again later that month, as well as finishing their clash against Jordan in June of the new year.