Saudi hero footballer calls for unity ahead of the team’s match against Poland on Saturday.
The team recently surprised the world as it beat Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a shocking victory. Now, the team faces the possibility of qualifying further, pending matches with Poland, Mexico.
“Football is a common love of the nation,” said Abdulellah Al-Malki, Saudi team midfielder, in an exclusive interview with Esquire Middle East “when we come together for the national team, all the different club colours merge together and unify into one green colour, we are all Saudis and we are proud of that.”
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar. The victory is the biggest win in the history of Saudi Arabian football, as the kingdom defeated pre-tournament favourites Argentina 2-1.
Wednesday was announced as a public holiday for all employees and students in Saudi Arabia following the historic win.
“Our group is not easy at all. However, we are approaching it game-by-game. Getting good results is the target, and if we can do that we will consider it a great achievement for us. We strive to qualify for the next round,” says Salman Al-Faraj, Saudi’s team captain.
Saudi faces a challenging line-up in Group C alongside Mexico and Poland following their 2-1 victory over Argentina.
“We have hope, and we’re dreaming big,” Hassan Tambakti, Saudi footballer says “It is true that we have been drawn in a tough group, but nothing is impossible in football.”
“We don’t want to go to the World Cup just to participate, we are there to make everyone in our county proud. As people, we have multiple differences, but we all have the same desire,” said Al Makli, “It is the one, only and common love of the nation. It is the sport watched by all Saudi people categories. Passion puts us all together to love football.”
The Saudi national team were speaking ahead of their match with Poland on Saturday which if they win will be a moment for the history books for the kingdom and their World Cup team. Should the team win, Saudi Arabia will enter the next stage of the World Cup – knockout.
The kingdom has only reached the knockout stages of the World Cup once before, in 1994.
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