DUBAI: Morocco in 1986. Saudi Arabia in 1994. Algeria in 2014.
Only three Arab teams have ever progressed to the knockout stages of a World Cup, though never as far as the quarterfinals.
It is not surprising. Considering the small number of qualifying spots they must contest with other African and Asian nations, Arab qualifications tend to be rare. And when countries do make it the odds are stacked against them.
Only once has there been more than two Arab nations at a World Cup, when Iraq, Morocco
and Algeria all qualified for Mexico ‘86.
Invariably, these countries will find themselves in pots 3 or 4 for the World Cup draw, meaning almost certain elimination.
But could Russia 2018 be the year that Arab teams finally make a mark on the tournament?
For once, the signs are positive. Already Saudi Arabia and Egypt have confirmed their places among the world’s elite 32.
Things could get better. On Nov. 11, they could be joined by both Morocco and Tunisia, which would bring the total to an unprecedented four Arab countries at the World Cup.
While both require only a draw to reach the finals, Tunisia’s task is considerably easier, as they are set to meet CAF Group A bottom team Libya at home. Even a defeat could still see Henryk Kasperczak’s men through if second place DR Congo fail to beat Guinea. Far more likely at Stade Olympique de Rades are scenes of celebration to rival those at and Borg El-Arab in Alexandria.
Morocco, though top of Group C, must do it the hard way. They travel to second-place Ivory Coast, arguably their toughest assignment of the whole qualifying campaign. A defeat there means a summer at home for the team currently coached by Frenchman Hervé Renard.
Egypt Returns
Incredibly, despite possessing a rich footballing history and their habitual success in the African Cup of Nations, Egypt have only qualified for the World Cup twice before: In 1934, when they became the first Arab team to reach the finals; and in 1990, under the guidance of the great Mahmoud El-Gohary.
Continental glory in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010 did not translate to World Cup qualification, meaning the world missed out on witnessing one of Africa’s greatest talents, Mohammed Aboutrika, on the grandest stage.
Now, after several years of turmoil for the national team and disruption to the domestic team, Egyptian football is approaching something like rude health again, and they can approach Russia 2018 with genuine optimism.
And perhaps for the first time ever, Egypt now have a bona fide superstar playing for one of the world’s most famous clubs. Mohamed Salah has started his career at Liverpool in stunning form and has gone up a gear from his time at Chelsea and Roma.
Unlike 28 years ago, audiences outside of Africa will be familiar with many of the squad members. Mohamed Elneny at Arsenal and Ahmed Hegazi at West Brom are just two players fans not familiar with Egyptian football will have heard of thanks to the ubiquity of the Premier League.
Their experience, along with that of those who play at home and across the Arab world, means Egypt will have no inferiority complex going into the World Cup.
Saudi Positivity
Positive vibes are also coursing through Saudi Arabian football. On Nov. 18, Al-Hilal will contest the first leg of the AFC Champions League final against Urawa Reds at home, with the second-leg a week later at Saitama Stadium.
A record third title for Al-Hilal will be a major boost for the country as they prepare for the World Cup, especially as no fewer than 10 players from the club are members of the Saudi national squad.
In comparison to Egypt, however, the Green Falcons, with the exception of teenager Mukhtar Ali at Vitesse, have no squad member playing outside the Kingdom, never mind in some of Europe’s top leagues.
But that could be about to change. It was revealed two weeks ago that Saudi World Cup squad members are being lined up for loan spells at European clubs during the upcoming winter transfer window. Whether five months will be enough to have any genuine impact on these players ahead of the World Cup remains to be seen, but many see it as merely a start of a long-term project that will ultimately reap
dividends.
Any success, however belated, will be welcome if it increases belief that Saudi Arabian players are at home playing at the highest level.
Should Tunisia and Morocco join the party next month, the chances of an Arab team progressing to the round of 16 in the World Cup for only the fourth time will, quite literally, double.
There could never be a better time for Arab nations to finally make history at the World Cup.
Arab football flying high thanks to the Green Falcons and super Salah
Arab football flying high thanks to the Green Falcons and super Salah
Humbert stuns Tsitsipas as defending champion exits Dubai in first round
- Last year’s winner lost in straight sets to the 2024 champion
- Ugo Humbert will now play the 2022 champion, Andrey Rublev, on Wednesday
DUBAI: Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday night, falling in the first round to 2024 title-winner Ugo Humbert under the bright lights of the center court.
The 4-6, 5-7 defeat at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium means the 27-year-old Greek, who left the court with his head bowed, will drop outside the world top 40 for the first time in almost eight years.
The first-round meeting between the two unseeded Dubai champions caught the eye as soon as the main draw took place on Saturday for this week’s ATP 500 tournament. Only seven world ranking places separated the pair and the lower-ranked Humbert, at No. 37, edged the pre-match head-to-head record at 3-1. Tsitsipas has not yet progressed beyond the quarterfinals across five events since the start of the year.
“It was a funny first round — the two last winners of the tournament,” said Humbert, who beat Alexander Bublik in the final here two years ago. “It’s so good to be back where I won the tournament. I have such good memories, and it was a tough battle tonight.”
From the first exchanges, both players dominated their service games with remarkable ease. Tsitsipas only conceded two points in his first four, while Humbert was forced to deuce in just one game. Yet as the scoreline progressed in undramatic fashion to 5-4 to Humbert, and with Tsitsipas’ majestic topspin backhand starting to purr, the Greek’s serve deserted him when he needed it most.
Fewer than 24 hours after he had enjoyed a Ramadan cultural experience that saw him don a dark blue kandura to eat the fast-breaking iftar meal, Tsitsipas demonstrated the season’s spirit of generosity by gifting Humbert a pair of double-faults, an unforced error and, ultimately, the opening set.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Tsitsipas unable to change the course of the match. Humbert conceded two break points in the first game yet found the resolve to dig deep and hold on. The set stayed on serve for 11 consecutive games until, with Humbert 6-5 up and Tsitsipas serving to stay in the tournament, another two wasteful forehands by the three-time finalist handed Humbert two match points.
The Frenchman took the victory at the first opportunity as Tsitsipas’ third unforced forehand error in sequential points sealed his fate.
“I think today, it was a big battle,” said Humbert. “We both served very well, and I had just a few opportunities and I did it, so I’m super happy. It’s nice to come back to play again on this beautiful court. I have such a nice feeling when I play here and it’s nice to be in (the) second round.”
Next up for Humbert is 2022 champion Andrey Rublev, who eased past France’s Valentin Royer 6-3, 6-4. The energetic Muscovite shuttled around Center Court like a man incapable of letting a ball past him, with more than one seemingly impossible return sent safely back by the 28-year-old.
Royer saved eight second-set break points by the time he levelled the set at 2-2, but Rublev’s serving was at times unplayable. His shot selection must have left his opponent bewildered as he mixed impudent drop shots with returnable volleys at the net.
“It was a great win for me because I knew very well in our first meeting, I lost,” said Rublev. “[Royer’s] a great fighter, and I’m really happy that I was able to take that challenge and go through in straight sets. When you play so late, to have some time to recover before the next match is so important.”
On facing Humbert, he added: “It’s going to be great for me to see my level because Ugo is a great player. He’s hitting the ball really hard; he’s getting better and better, and always fights until the end, playing super aggressive and hitting bombs from all over the place. He’s won here in the past too, so it’s going to be an interesting fight.”
Earlier in the day, eighth seed Jiri Lehecka survived losing the first set to Lucky Loser Luca Nardi — a late injury replacement for France’s Arthur Fils — by recovering to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. The Czech world No. 22 will face Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday after the qualifier disposed of Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4.
In the final game on New Court 1, sixth seed Jakub Mensik edged past Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4, 7-6 (7). Mensik will face Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, the world No. 47, who narrowly edged out Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.
Meanwhile on Court 2, world No. 25 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands — the highest-ranked player not seeded in Dubai this week — defeated Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen 6-3, 6-4 to set-up a mouthwatering second round match against second seed Alexander Bublik.
Elsewhere, Arthur Rinderknech also lost the first set en route to defeating Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The imposing Frenchman will play British fourth seed Jack Draper in the next round. The USA’s Jenson Brooksby, the world No. 49, dispatched Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 to seal a last-16 tie against seventh seed Karen Khachanov, who required three sets to eliminate Lucky Loser Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3.
