Saudi Arabia defender Ali Lajami believes the teams’ FIFA rankings will give his side added motivation when they face South Korea in a friendly on Friday.
The match is Saudi Arabia’s first of two friendlies during their current training camp in Doha, Qatar, as they prepare for the challenges ahead. Uzbekistan will provide the opposition in their second game on Tuesday, 17 November.
Speaking to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat 24 hours before the South Korea match, Lajami said the squad had used the camp to address weaknesses exposed during the Gulf Cup.
“We focused during the camp on correcting the mistakes we made in the Gulf Cup,” he said.
Saudi Arabia won the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, known as Gulf Cup 27, after beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final. It was their first major title in 23 years.
Lajami added: “We enter both matches aiming to win and improve our international ranking. Facing South Korea and Uzbekistan gives us greater motivation to produce good performances, and we are looking to win both games.”
Saudi Arabia are currently ranked 55th in the world and fifth among Asian teams in the official FIFA rankings. South Korea are 31st globally.
Saudi Arabia have full squad available
Saudi Arabia, known as the Green Falcons, will have a complete squad available for the match after Firas Al-Buraikan returned to full training on Wednesday.
The Al-Ahli striker had missed the team’s first two training sessions during the international break because of a cold, raising doubts over whether he would be fit to face South Korea. His return means Saudi Arabia have no absentees for the game.
Lens right-back Saud Abdulhamid also took part in training for the first time on Tuesday.
The South Korea fixture will be followed by Saudi Arabia’s meeting with Uzbekistan in Doha on 17 November.
Donis future continues to attract attention
Saudi broadcaster Abdulrahman Al-Humaidi, presenter of the Nadina programme on MBC 1, previously claimed that Georgios Donis had a 99% chance of leaving his position as Saudi Arabia manager.
Donis rejected the speculation in comments to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.
“Rumours released from time to time about my professional future with the Saudi Arabia national team do not concern me,” he said.
“What matters to me now is developing the Green Falcons and focusing on the work. I have the experience to deal with what is being said about my professional future, and I will give my best to serve Saudi football.”
His comments followed a Saudi Arabian Football Federation statement, reported by Saudi channel Al Ekhbariya, denying that the Greek manager was facing dismissal and confirming he would remain in charge.
It was the second time the federation had denied reports of Donis’ departure, after issuing a similar denial in October.
Some reports had claimed the federation wanted to appoint former Portugal manager Roberto Martinez to lead Saudi Arabia at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Those reports caused anger among Saudi football supporters because of the limited time before the tournament, prompting the federation’s denial.
However, the tournament’s postponement from January to December next year has revived discussion about Donis’ future, with more time now available before the competition.
