1-Mohammed Al-Daeyea (Al-Hilal) Born: 2.8.72
Goalkeepers
Claims to have
played 168 international matches, although that figure has not been officially
verified by FIFA. Followed in the footsteps of his brother Abdullah by winning
the Asian Cup in 1996. Also won the Gulf Cup in 1994 and 2002. A good
shot-stopper and the backbone of the team, Mohammed played in the side that won
the world youth cup and which formed the basis of the squad that got the Saudis
to their first World Cup finals in 1994. Has won best Asian goalkeeper award
several times. Playing in his third World Cup, which he has said will be his
last.
22-Mohammed Khojali Babkr (Al-Nassr) Born: 15.1.73
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Tall, dominant player but can be reluctant to claim crosses.
Stood in for the injured Al-Daeyea at the start of the final phase of the World
Cup qualifiers and during the 2002 Gulf Cup, which Saudi Arabia won at home.
21-Mabrouk Zaid (Al-Ittihad): Born: 11.2.79
A member of
the 2002 Gulf Cup squad as a back-up goalkeeper.
Defenders
13-Hussein Sulimani (Al-Ahli)
Born: 23.1.77
Versatile player who usually plays left-back but can
play anywhere on the left side or in central midfield and has even featured up
front for his club Al-Ahli.
3-Redha Tukar (Al-Shabab) Born: 29.11.75
Played his part
in the World Cup qualifiers but not an automatic first choice. Will be jostling
for a starting place.
5-Mohsin Harthi (Al-Nassr) Born: 15.8.76
Part of
the squad since the Confederations Cup in 1999 and scored once during the World
Cup qualifiers. A danger at set plays.
6-Fouzi Al-Shehri (Al-Ahli) Born: 15.5.80
Won under-20
honours before making his full international debut. Likes to get forward when
possible and has a powerful shot.
12-Ahmed Dukhi Al-Dossary (Al-Hilal) Born: 25.10.76
Right-back who likes to get forward on the overlap thereby giving
the Saudi team more attacking options with his accurate crosses. Broke into the
team at the Asian Cup in Lebanon in 2000 and replaced regular right-back
Mohammad Al-Jahani.
2-Mohammed Al-Jahani (Al-Ahli) Born: 28.9.75
Provides
cover at right back and, like first-choice Al-Dossary, likes to get forward to
support the strikers. Has won best Asian right-back award.
23-Mansour Al-Thaqafi (Al-Nassr) Born: 14.1.79
Pacy
winger whose trickery won him his first cap last month.
4-Abdullah Sulaiman Zubromawi (Al-Hilal) Born: 15.11.73
Solid defender and backbone of the defence for the past five years
after breaking into the team during the qualifiers for France 98. First
impressed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and won the Asian Cup in the same
year.
Midfielders
8-Mohammed Noor (Al-Ittihad) Born: 26.7.78
A key member of his
club's midfield during their championship success last season. Strong in the
tackle and accurate with his passing. On the fringes of a starting place at the
finals.
16-Khamis al-Owairan (Al-Ittihad) Born: 8.9.73
A member
of the squad in France four years ago but, despite his experience, will only be
among the substitutes.
17-Abdallah Al-Waked (Al-Shabab) Born: 29.9.75 .
Broke
into the team during the World Cup qualifiers after being on the fringes at the
Asian Cup in Lebanon. Unlikely to be first choice at the World Cup if all key
players are fit.
10-Mohammad Al-Shlhoub (Al-Hilal) Born 9.12.80
Known as
'Baby Maradona' in Saudi Arabia. Discovered during Lebanon 2000 when he was a
member of the squad that reached the Asian Cup final. A slightly-built but
tricky winger who has become one of the country's great hopes. Plays on the left
from where he both creates and scores goals. Featured in the World Cup
qualifiers but injury kept him out of the 2002 Gulf Cup. Just 22, he looks a
bright prospect.
14-Abdulaziz Al-Khathran (Al-Shabab) Born: 31.7.73
Still
waiting for his first cap at the age of 28 but has featured for his club at the
world club championship.
19-Omar Al-Ghamdi (Al-Hilal) Born: 11.9.79
Replaced
injured club team mate Khamis al-Dossary in a defensive midfield role during the
2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon and is now ever-present. Strong in the tackle and a
quality passer who should marshall the team from a deep-lying position in front
of the back four for years to come.
7-Ibrahim Al-Sharani (Al-Ahli) Born: 21.7.74
Long-standing squad member who rarely gets a starting place. Scored
the goal against Qatar in 1997 that clinched a place at the France finals in
1998.
Forwards
9-Sami Al-Jaber (Al-Hilal) Born: 11.12.72
Reportedly a veteran
of 148 internationals scoring 38 goals. Won the best Asian player of the month
several times and had a brief spell with English first division club
Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning home to lead his club to victory in the
Asian Cup Winners Cup. Usually plays as the second striker but has declared that
his third finals will be his last.
18-Nawaf Al-Temyat (Al-Hilal) Born: 26.6.76
A veteran of
France 98 who has improved since then. He is the creative hub of the team and
can also score goals, particularly from long range. Asian Player of the Year in
2000 but missed the
World Cup qualifiers with a knee injury. Returned early
this year and has since been linked with a move to Europe. Followed his older
brothers Safood and Mohammed by playing for both Al-Hilal, who he joined at 15,
and the national team.
20-Hassan Al-Yami (Al-Ittihad) Born: 21.8.72
A late find
while studying at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah and playing for second
division club Nigeriana. The 30-year-old was used as a substitute in the World
Cup qualifiers in a similar deep-lying forward role to that favoured by Al-Jaber
and likely to fill the same role at the finals.
15-Abdullah Jumaan (Al-Hilal) Born: 10.11.77
Strong and
pacy forward renowned for his powerful shooting from distance. Played with
distinction in the World Cup qualifiers but likely to be used as a substitute in
the finals when his physical presence can be used to change the game.
11-Obeid Al-Dossary (Al-Ahli) Born: 2.10.75
A member of
the France 98 squad, though he only made one appearance from the bench, the
skilful striker first came to prominence in qualifying for the 1996 Atlanta
Olympics. Now a regular first-choice who was second top scorer with 10 goals in
12 appearances during the World Cup qualifiers.