Serbia's goalkeeping coach: Egypt's four goals don't reflect the level of the Saudi national team
is preparing The Saudi national football team for a crucial stage in its journey, striving to establish itself and build a strong generation capable of competing in the 2026 World Cup, drawing inspiration from the historic victories achieved in the 2022 World Cup. As part of these intensive preparations, the Green Falcons are playing challenging friendly matches against diverse footballing styles. Following a heavy 4-0 defeat against Egypt, the team will travel to Serbia to face the TSC Arena, in a match where the coaching staff aims to restore confidence and rectify past mistakes.
The importance of the friendly match between the Saudi national team and Serbia
In an exclusive interview, Jesús Salvador, the Serbian national team's goalkeeping coach, who possesses extensive knowledge of Saudi football from his previous work with Al-Ittihad's coaching staff, shared his expectations for the upcoming match. Salvador emphasized that the encounter will be anything but easy, noting that the Saudi national team boasts immense potential and players with exceptional technical and physical abilities, particularly in terms of speed. He added, "We cannot ignore the fact that Saudi Arabia has consistently qualified for the World Cup. I anticipate an exciting match, as the result of the last game against Egypt is misleading and doesn't reflect the true level of the Green Falcons. We are aware that we will be facing a wounded team seeking redemption, and we must be at our absolute best and never underestimate their capabilities.".
Technical analysis of Egypt's four goals against Al-Ahly
Arab derbies, especially those between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are characterized by a unique competitive spirit. Regarding this particular match, Salvador explained that the Serbian national team's coaching staff had meticulously analyzed the game. He said, "The result was very harsh. Individual errors at the start of the match cost the Green Falcons early goals, which negatively impacted the players' morale and confidence. Despite the Saudi team's attempts to control possession and demonstrate initiative, their lack of attacking efficiency in the final third prevented them from converting that control into goals.".
Special support for goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi
Salvador addressed the issue of goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who faced criticism after the last match. The Spanish coach strongly defended him, saying: “Al-Aqidi is an exceptional goalkeeper with high physical and technical skills. In the world of football, a goalkeeper's mistake is always costly and severely punished, but this does not diminish his potential. I am confident in his ability to overcome this phase. He delivered impressive performances last season during his loan spell at Al-Fateh, to the point that he was the reason we lost a match when I was coaching Al-Ittihad, and I recommended signing him at that time.”.
Mohammed Al Owais and the experience of major appointments
With Mohammed Al-Owais expected to start against Serbia, Salvador praised the goalkeeper who made his mark at the 2022 World Cup. He said: “I have analyzed Al-Owais’s performance thoroughly. He is a goalkeeper with extensive international experience that must be taken into account. He is characterized by not taking risks inside his penalty area, in addition to his exceptional courage in dealing with aerial balls and his amazing reaction speed on the goal line.”.
The future of goalkeeping in Saudi Arabia and the impact of professionals
With the Saudi league attracting some of the world's top goalkeepers, local goalkeepers face a significant challenge to prove themselves. Regarding the best Saudi goalkeepers currently, Salvador selected a number of prominent names, including Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Mishari Sinyour, and Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi. He also praised Al-Ittihad's goalkeeper, Mohammed Al-Mahasneh, describing him as a fantastic goalkeeper with a passion for improvement. He also mentioned Al-Absi and Hamed Al-Shanqiti, emphasizing that the latter possesses the potential to become the best in the Kingdom, provided he receives a comprehensive training program and a coach who instills confidence in him and gives him sufficient playing time.
Unforgettable memories with Al-Ittihad Club and its fans
Salvador concluded his remarks by reminiscing about his fond memories with Al-Ittihad Club, saying: “My experience in Saudi Arabia was one of the best periods of my professional and personal life. Together we won the league and cup titles, and I discovered some amazing goalkeeping talents. I am deeply grateful to the Kingdom, Al-Ittihad Club, and its great fans who gave us strength in every stadium we visited. I am still in touch with many people there, and who knows, perhaps I will return to work in the Saudi League in the future.”.
