Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stars have continued to shine in Roshn Saudi League
November 22, 2022. It was the third day of FIFA World Cup 2022 and the first of the day’s early kick-offs.
Many tuned in anticipating the Group C-opening fixture for Argentina as the start of Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste’s ascendancy to the summit of global football.
And although the South Americans ultimately went on to conquer the world, on that bright and breezy day in Qatar, another glorious story played out.
Proclaimed as the greatest Arab performance in the World Cup, Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons secured a well-earned 2-1 victory over their feted opponents.
Fans in The Kingdom, across the region and those who always cheer for the underdog were ecstatic, and the players wrote themselves into football history.
And many of those Roshn Saudi League stars who stunned the world continue to shine, week after week.
Salem Al Dawsari featured in a contingent of 12 from his club side, Al Hilal – nine of whom started versus Argentina. The highly skilled winger wowed the world and his opponents with one of the tournament’s finest strikes.
This stellar form by the former Villarreal loanee was extended back home. January’s pair of goals and an assist saw him named Player of the Month.
Up-and-coming right-back Saud Abdulhamid excelled with a commanding performance at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
This exceptional display by the 23-year-old was no surprise to regular Roshn Saudi League viewers. He regularly dominates his flank, contributing two assists and a succession of crucial challenges this season.
Al Hilal striker Saleh Al Shehri netted the equaliser versus Argentina. He’s continued this form at Al Hilal, notching in the recent 2-0 victory at Al Adalah.
The energetic Abdulelah Al Malki featured in three of Al Hilal’s opening four top-flight fixtures after the World Cup, but suffered a knock at former employers Al Ittihad.
Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais has been in reserve for Abdullah Al Mayouf at club level. He was, though, handed a first start of the season in this month’s 2-1 triumph against Abha.
Team-mates Ali Al Bulaihi and Mohamed Kanno have swept up honours throughout recent seasons. They remain crucial players, too, at club level.
Yasser Al Shahrani and Salman Al Faraj were both injured against the Argentines. They are yet to return in Roshn Saudi League.
Al Shabab’s Hassan Tambakti was one of two non-Al Hilal players who started against the eventual world champions. He was tasked with keeping their more-illustrious opponents quiet, an objective that was successfully delivered upon.
He’s now firmly established as a mainstay in Vicente Moreno’s Roshn Saudi League title chasers. Jubilation followed the recent decision to ink a contract extension with his boyhood club.
The other non-Al Hilal player was Al Fateh’s Firas Al Buraikan. The 22-year-old is experiencing a prolific domestic scoring spell, with six goals in 14 top-flight appearances, and carried this threat into the World Cup.
Al Buraikan, alongside Tambakti and Abdulhamid, highlights the excellent development Saudi football has embarked on in recent years. From strong displays in youth tournaments, those players now aged 22-24 have proved they are at home in some of the toughest matches, against some of the toughest opponents.
That storied day will forever live in Saudi football’s history. But head coach Herve Renard and the country have shown they are capable of, soon, writing many more new chapters.
Tune into Roshn Saudi League to watch these players excel, in every round.