Donis hails defence as Saudi Arabia open FIFA International Cup with Uruguay draw
Saudi Arabia supervisor Georgios Donis praised the workforce’s unravel after his facet started their 2026 FIFA International Cup marketing campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw towards Uruguay in Miami early on Tuesday.
The Inexperienced Falcons, contesting their 3rd successive world finals, took the lead at Miami Stadium no longer lengthy sooner than half-time, Al Nassr centre-back Abdulelah Al Amri pouncing on a rebound following Hassan Tambakti’s stored header from a nook.
Uruguay got here again in the second one half of, their power sooner or later telling with 10 mins closing when Maxi Araujo slid in to attain the equaliser after Al Ula goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais parried.
The previous Al Hilal stopper were superb all over, making 9 saves in all to deservedly gather the Guy of the Fit award.
With Cape Verde protecting 2010 champions Spain to a goalless draw overdue on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s level is indubitably one thing to construct on. Donis’ males subsequent face Spain, ranked the arena’s 3rd best possible workforce via FIFA, on Friday evening in Atlanta.
Talking after the hole draw, the previous Al Hilal, Al Wehda, Al Fateh and Al Khaleej supervisor, who used to be appointed simplest in overdue April, stated: “For us, inside 3 weeks now we have been looking to arrange our recreation, building up our recreation and feature a greater spirit.
“Once we’re confronted with sure combatants, getting one level is a favorable tournament and this can be a booster for our psychology. Recently I am making an attempt to be informed my workforce; I am making an attempt to be informed my avid gamers and get to understand them.”
Donis added: “We will be able to say within the first half of we had excellent regulate over the play, and we had alternatives to rating with out being very decisive.
“Within the 2d half of, if any individual analyses it, one can say {that a} imaginable state of affairs used to be that we had the lead and we idea most commonly defensive. We had already scored and we needed to stay that.
“Had been we, most likely, drained in the second one half of? It gave the look to be that, in the second one half of, we did not have the similar depth. Our opponent used to be ready to move deeper into our half of.
“We didn’t show enough self-confidence to keep possession in order to change their tempo, so that meant that we had pressure near our box. Thankfully, we had an excellent goalkeeper and an excellent defence today.”
