Saudi Arabia target South Korea win as Ali Lajami highlights ranking incentive

Saudi Arabia defender Ali Lajami says the team’s position in the FIFA world rankings will give them extra motivation to beat South Korea in their first friendly of the current international camp.

The sides meet on Friday in Doha, where Saudi Arabia are preparing for their upcoming commitments. The Green Falcons will also face Uzbekistan on Tuesday, 17 November.

“We focused during the camp on correcting the mistakes we made in the Gulf Cup,” Lajami told Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat 24 hours before the South Korea match.

Saudi Arabia won the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, known as Gulf 27, after beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final. It was their first title in 23 years.

“We go into the two matches aiming to win and improve our world ranking,” Lajami added. “Facing South Korea and Uzbekistan gives us greater motivation to produce good performances, and we are looking to win both games.”

Saudi Arabia are ranked 55th in the world and fifth among Asian nations in the official FIFA standings. South Korea are 31st globally.

Saudi Arabia have full squad available

Saudi Arabia will have a full squad available for the meeting with South Korea after Al Ahli forward Firas Al-Braikan took part in team training for the first time during the current break on Wednesday.

Al-Braikan missed the opening two days of training because of a cold, raising doubts over whether he would be fit to play.

The return of the Al Ahli striker means there are no absentees in the Saudi squad. Lens right-back Saud Abdulhamid also joined the group for the first time on Tuesday.

The team’s second friendly in Doha will be against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, 17 November.

Donis dismisses speculation over future

Saudi media personality Abdulrahman Al-Humaidi, presenter of the Nadina programme on MBC 1, recently claimed that Greece manager Giorgos Donis would leave his position as Saudi Arabia head coach with “99%” certainty.

Donis rejected the speculation in comments to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah.

“Rumours that are circulated from time to time about my professional future with the Saudi national team do not concern me,” he said.

“What matters to me now is developing the Green Falcons and focusing on the work. I have enough experience to deal with what is being said about my professional future, and I will give my best to serve Saudi football.”

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation had also denied the possibility of Donis being dismissed in a statement reported by Saudi channel Al-Ekhbariya, confirming that he would remain in his role.

It was the second time the federation had rejected reports of Donis’ departure, after issuing a similar denial in October.

Reports had suggested the federation wanted former Portugal manager Roberto Martinez to lead Saudi Arabia at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup instead of Donis. The claims prompted anger among Saudi football supporters, particularly because of the limited time before the tournament.

However, the postponement of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup from January to December next year has renewed debate over Donis’ future by creating more time before the competition.