Saudi Arabia complete squad ahead of Gulf Cup 27

Saudi Arabia’s squad is now complete ahead of Gulf Cup 27 after five Al Ahli players joined the national team’s training camp, while Mukhtar Ali has replaced Musab Al-Juwayr.

The Al Ahli group arrived in camp on Sunday after travelling back from South Africa, where they had played in a 2-1 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Intercontinental Cup on Saturday.

The five players are Ryan Hamed, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Ziyad Al-Jahni, Firas Al-Buraikan and Zakaria Al-Hawsawi. They are part of Saudi Arabia’s 26-man squad for Gulf Cup 27.

Head coach Georgios Donis managed the players’ workload during Sunday evening’s training session. Al-Buraikan, Al-Jahni and Al-Hawsawi completed recovery exercises after starting against the African champions, while Hamed and Abu Al-Shamat trained alongside the rest of the squad.

Saudi Arabia’s camp began on Thursday, but the Al Ahli players missed its first three days because of their club commitments in the Intercontinental Cup.

Donis is also considering whether to leave out the Al Ahli internationals selected for the squad in Saudi Arabia’s opening match against Kuwait. The decision is linked to their late arrival in camp and the short gap between their club and international fixtures.

Al Ahli’s players faced Mamelodi Sundowns in the Intercontinental Cup on 19 September, before Saudi Arabia play Kuwait on 23 September.

The Saudi Pro League announced the rearrangement of rounds eight, nine and 10 after the Saudi Football Federation requested an extended preparation period for the national team. Round eight, originally scheduled for 17 to 19 September, has been moved to 9 to 11 October.

Saudi Arabia will begin their Gulf Cup 27 campaign against Kuwait on 23 September at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. They will then face Oman on 26 September, before completing the group stage against Iraq on 29 September.