LONDON: Saudi Arabia midfielder Hattan Bahebri said the enormity of being involved in the opening game of the World Cup is starting to sink in for the Green Falcons and revealed there is an inner belief in the squad to do more than just make up the numbers in Russia.
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side launch the 21st World Cup against Russia on Thursday and, if the audience of 290 million for the opener in 2014 is anything to go by, they can expect the eyes of the world to be on them. The Green Falcons finished their World Cup preparations, with a 2-1 reversal, against Germany on Friday night and now nerves will be starting to jangle ahead of the tournament curtain-raiser.
“The closer we get to the first game, the bigger the responsibility,” Bahebri said in a video interview on the Saudi Football Federation’s Twitter account. “It is a huge event. It is the World Cup. It is a huge responsibility to me and my teammates. I hope we will fulfill the expectations of our fans.”
Saudi Arabia are the second lowest ranked side in the World Cup — Russia are the lowest at 70 — so expectations are low, but with Egypt not in great form and without Mohamed Salah for at least some of the group stage, there is a feeling the Green Falcons could seriously contend for the second spot in the group behind Uruguay.
“First, our priority is not just to be part of the World Cup, but also to have good results and reach the round of the 16 and more,” Bahebri said. “We are now focusing on our game with Russia, and we will work on winning it.”
The squad is heading to Russia without Nawaf Al-Abed, the Al-Hilal playmaker who scored five goals in qualifying, but who only managed to play 22 minutes under Pizzi because of injury. The Argentinian felt he could not take a chance on a player who has not started a game since Jan. 8 because of a groin injury.
“The coach takes the decisions and I guess Nawaf is injured and hopefully he will get better,” midfielder Hussain Al-Mogahwi said. “He sat with the coach and talked to him about everything. Nawaf is a hero, and the four others who were left out with him are also champions.”
Saudi Arabia will be nothing if not fully prepared for what Group A has to throw at them. They have played Italy, Peru and Germany — sides all ranked in the top 20 — in their last three friendlies and the nine matches they have played this year is more than any other side at the World Cup.
“The two friendly games with Peru and Italy will get us ready,” said Al-Mogahwi. “During the game with Italy, we weren’t focused and afraid, but all the players played well and we had a good game. We had many opportunities ... We could have tied the game if we had scored. During the game with Peru, the coach changed the squad and honestly, we were good, but luck was not on our side. We got a good experience from the friendly games. The games in the World Cup will have the same level.”
Green Falcons ready to bear responsibility of a nation at Russia 2018
Green Falcons ready to bear responsibility of a nation at Russia 2018
- The Green Falcons finished their World Cup preparations, with a 2-1 reversal, against Germany on Friday night and now nerves will be starting to jangle ahead of the tournament curtain-raiser.
- Saudi Arabia midfielder Hattan Bahebri: “First, our priority is not just to be part of the World Cup, but also to have good results and reach the round of 16 and more.”
Bangladesh board says ICC considering request to move their World Cup games from India
- Bangladesh cites security concerns amid strained ties with India as it seeks venue change for T20 World Cup matches
- ICC says it is engaging with Bangladesh board and reviewing request as part of tournament security planning
NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Wednesday that the sport’s global governing body, the International Cricket Council, is considering their request to move their Twenty20 World Cup matches out of India over safety concerns.
Amid fraught relations between the two countries, Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders said at the weekend that the country’s cricket board (BCCI) had told them to drop Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladesh’s interim government has since banned broadcasts of the IPL, and the BCB have refused to play their World Cup matches in India, which is co-hosting the February 7 to March 8 event with Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three World Cup matches in Kolkata next month.
“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament,” the BCB said.
“The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.”
The ICC and Indian board did not immediately reply to requests for comment from Reuters.
Some media reports have suggested the ICC, which is headed by former Indian board chief Jay Shah, had told Bangladesh they must play in India or forfeit the matches.
However, the BCB said reports of such an ultimatum were “completely false” and that it would work with the ICC to arrive at a solution that ensures their successful participation.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks between India and Bangladesh.
Hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi last month after a Hindu factory worker was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district over allegations he insulted the Prophet Muhammad.
