SAINT PETERSBURG: Shellshocked Saudi Arabia captain Osama Hawsawi has insisted that the team still have what it takes to qualify for the second round despite a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Russia in Thursday’s World Cup opener.
Almost 80,000 fans at the Luzhniki Stadium and 250 million watching around the world saw the Green Falcons grounded in the opening game of the tournament — their first World Cup clash in 12 years.
Thanks to a header from Yuri Gazinsky and a smart finish from Denis Cheryshev the hosts were 2-0 up at the break and, even then, all hope of the victory had gone. Artem Dzyuba headed a third in the second half to leave Cheryshev and Aleksandr Golovin to to complete a miserable evening for Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men.
Speaking a day after the opening-day nightmare Hawsawi admitted that the game, littered with defensive mistakes, did not go to plan.
“Russia made the most of our errors,” the veteran center-back said. “Once they scored the second, it was very difficult for us. They then used the space well and we were unable to put them under pressure.”
It was a deflating experience for a team that had shown signs of improvement under Pizzi in the build-up to the tournament.
Hawsawi insisted, however, that all was not lost with two Group A games remaining. The next test comes against Uruguay in Rostov on Wednesday and then a final showdown with Egypt in Volgograd five days later.
“We still have two games to go,” Hawsawi said.
“We still control our destiny and now we have to focus everything on the next game.”
Fellow veteran Taisir Al-Jassim was sorry for the healthy contingent of Saudi Arabian fans who had made the trip to the Russian capital and for all those watching at home.
“I want to apologize to the fans,” the midfielder said.
“Russia turned up and we didn’t. We had been feeling good in the preparation period and so we really did not expect something like this to happen.”
Like Hawsawi, Al-Jassim is keen to make amends.
“In football, anything can happen. We are determined to turn this around against Uruguay and Egypt.”
The reaction at home, in the newspapers and social media, was severe. In a video posted on social media, Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of the country’s General Sports Authority, criticized the players for not putting in the necessary effort.
That video certainly eased the pressure on Pizzi. But a Saudi Arabia Football Federation executive told Arab News that while a repeat of Carlos Alberto Parreira’s sacking mid-World Cup in 1998 was not going to happen, there had to be an improvement in the next game.
“We had done everything we could to prepare for the tournament,” the official told Arab News.
“It was just one game, however, and we are expecting a much better performance against Uruguay. There is still plenty to play for.”
Skipper Osama Hawsawi refuses to admit Saudi’s second-round dream is over
Skipper Osama Hawsawi refuses to admit Saudi’s second-round dream is over
- Almost 80,000 fans at the Luzhniki Stadium and 250 million watching around the world saw the Green Falcons grounded in the opening game of the tournament.
- Osama Hawsawi: “Russia made the most of our errors. Once they scored the second, it was very difficult for us. They then used the space well and we were unable to put them under pressure.”
Sabalenka returns to Australian Open primed for another title tilt
- “Honestly, there’s no difference,” Sabalenka said of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park no longer in possession of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup
BENGALURU: World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in her familiar role as the hot favorite but unlike in the past two years the powerful Belarusian arrives without a title to defend or the momentum of a winning run in Melbourne.
The twice champion’s 20-match winning streak at the season’s opening major was snapped in the title clash 12 months ago when American outsider Madison Keys denied her a successful defense and a rare three-peat last achieved by Martina Hingis in 1999.
Sabalenka shrugged off that disappointment as well as losing in the French Open final and Wimbledon semifinals to secure her fourth Grand Slam crown at the US Open, leaving her primed for another title tilt on the blue hardcourts Down Under.
“Honestly, there’s no difference,” Sabalenka said of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park no longer in possession of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
“Every time, it doesn’t matter what tournament it is ... if I’m the defending champion or if I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same — to bring my best tennis and improve my game.
“That’s how I take it. I’m always just focusing on myself, on developing my game, and making sure I’m 100 percent there. That’s my goal and focus every time.”
Sabalenka’s serve infamously hampered her in Australia four years ago but her refined delivery has become a crucial weapon, while her variations with drop shots and sharper tactical nous have turned her into a formidable force.
She won a tour-leading four trophies last season and made nine finals, underlining her consistency at the highest level, with a shock loss to Elena Rybakina in last year’s WTA Finals title clash bringing her campaign to an abrupt end.
That setback has only sharpened her resolve and she now returns to Melbourne looking to reach her fourth consecutive Australian Open final.
The 27-year-old will also bid to reach a seventh straight hardcourt Grand Slam final to match Hingis and Steffi Graf in the professional era that began in 1968.
“I’m always super motivated when I come to Australia,” said Sabalenka, who kicked off her season by retaining her title at the Brisbane International without giving up a set.
“I love playing here and I want to stay here as long as possible. Of course remembering last year’s (Australian Open) final, I want to do a little bit better than I did.”
