The Greatest Goals Ever Scored #5: Saeed Al-Owairan Saudi Arabia Vs Belgium 1994

no comments by Mad Dog and Glory on March 27th, 2011

A brand new CaughtOffside series with a catchy title and nice graphic. Who saw this coming? Saeed Al-Owairan takes on the entire Belgium side, scoring a goal that will live long in the memory.

Saudi coach sacked after dismal Asian Cup

Saudi Arabia have sacked coach Nasser Al-Johar for failing to rescue the proud nation’s Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.

Al-Johar lasted just eight days at the helm of the Green Falcons after replacing Jose Peseiro, who was given his marching orders following a first-up 2-1 loss to Group B rivals Syria.

But they fared no better under Al-Johar, going down 1-0 to Jordan before a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Japan sealed Saudi Arabia’s exit in the group stages.

It was a humiliating early departure for the Green Falcons, who were runners-up in 2007 and considered one of the favourites to challenge for the title this time around.

Instead, Saudi Arabia failed to make the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for only the second time in the history of the tournament.

Team manager Fahd Al-Misaibeeh and his entire staff have also reportedly resigned, according to Saudi state news agency SPA.

“The Saudi Soccer Federation has accepted the resignation of Fahd Al-Misaibeeh, manager of the Saudi national team, and his crew, and relieved Nasser Al-Johar of his post as the current team’s coach,” read a statement from Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal, president of the Saudi Football Federation (SFF).

“We vow to immediately replace them by a highly-qualified international crew and domestic aides.”

Prince Newaf was promoted to head of the SFF to replace Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, who was removed by King Abdullah following the loss to Jordan.

Tue 18 January, 2011

Saudi coach sacked after dismal Asian Cup

Saudi Arabia have sacked coach Nasser Al-Johar for failing to rescue the proud nation’s Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.

Al-Johar lasted just eight days at the helm of the Green Falcons after replacing Jose Peseiro, who was given his marching orders following a first-up 2-1 loss to Group B rivals Syria.

But they fared no better under Al-Johar, going down 1-0 to Jordan before a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Japan sealed Saudi Arabia’s exit in the group stages.

It was a humiliating early departure for the Green Falcons, who were runners-up in 2007 and considered one of the favourites to challenge for the title this time around.

Instead, Saudi Arabia failed to make the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for only the second time in the history of the tournament.

Team manager Fahd Al-Misaibeeh and his entire staff have also reportedly resigned, according to Saudi state news agency SPA.

“The Saudi Soccer Federation has accepted the resignation of Fahd Al-Misaibeeh, manager of the Saudi national team, and his crew, and relieved Nasser Al-Johar of his post as the current team’s coach,” read a statement from Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal, president of the Saudi Football Federation (SFF).

“We vow to immediately replace them by a highly-qualified international crew and domestic aides.”

Prince Newaf was promoted to head of the SFF to replace Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, who was removed by King Abdullah following the loss to Jordan.

Tue 18 January, 2011

Asian Cup: Saudi Arabia 0 Japan 5

Shinji Okazaki scored a hat-trick as Japan secured top spot of Group B at the Asian Cup with a 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Okazaki’s treble and two goals from Ryoichi Maeda gave Japan, who led 3-0 after 20 minutes, a comfortable victory and put them into the quarter-finals where they will meet host nation Qatar.

The result capped off a humiliating tournament for 2007 runner-up Saudi Arabia as they ended the group stage without a point and without their manager Jose Periero, who was sacked after a 2-1 loss to Syria in their opening match of Asia’s premier soccer tournament.

Alberto Zaccheroni made three changes to the Japan side who scraped past Syria, with Okazaki, Yosuke Kashiwagi and Shusaku Nishikawa replacing Keisuke Honda, the injured Daisuke Matsui and the suspended Eiji Kawashima.

Saudi Arabia boss Nasser Al Johar made just one change, with Ahmed Ateef replacing Saud Khariri.

Japan did not have to wait long before taking the lead as a long ball from Yasuhito Endo caught the Saudi Arabia defence napping and Okazaki pounced for his first of the night, chipping the ball over Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah before he tapped it in from close range.

Okazaki’s second was just as easy five minutes later when his diving header from a Kashiwagi cross proved too hot to handle for Abdullah.

If the match was not already wrapped up by then, it most certainly was when Maeda grabbed his first after 19 minutes.

Again Japan attacked down the left and again poor communication between Abdullah and his defence saw Al Johar’s side concede.

A terrific ball was hit with speed by Yuto Nagatomo and Abdullah, who charged out of goal, was beaten to the ball by Maeda.

Japan were dominant and should have gone further in front if not for Kashiwagi’s wastefulness when presented with a fine opportunity by Okazaki.

But it mattered little as Zaccheroni’s side grabbed the fourth goal just after the break.

This time the goal was created on the right side of the pitch, with Japan’s tactic of getting regular crosses into the box paying off once again.

With the Saudi Arabia defence at sea, half-time substitute Masahiko Inoha’s cross was headed home by Maeda who once again beat Abdullah to the ball.

With the result secured, Japan took the foot off the pedal but were still able to grab a fifth, as Okazaki completed his hat-trick with a terrific finish.

Maeda fed Okazaki the ball on the edge of the box and the striker showed great control to create space before lashing a shot that Abdullah could only get a hand on.

A late free-kick from Mohammad Al Shalhoub nearly provided a rare moment of joy for Saudi Arabia, but his 25-yard effort was excellently saved by Nishikawa as Japan secured a clean sheet to go with their five-goal rout.

Mon 17 January, 2011

Asian Cup: Saudi Arabia 0 Japan 5

Shinji Okazaki scored a hat-trick as Japan secured top spot of Group B at the Asian Cup with a 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Okazaki’s treble and two goals from Ryoichi Maeda gave Japan, who led 3-0 after 20 minutes, a comfortable victory and put them into the quarter-finals where they will meet host nation Qatar.

The result capped off a humiliating tournament for 2007 runner-up Saudi Arabia as they ended the group stage without a point and without their manager Jose Periero, who was sacked after a 2-1 loss to Syria in their opening match of Asia’s premier soccer tournament.

Alberto Zaccheroni made three changes to the Japan side who scraped past Syria, with Okazaki, Yosuke Kashiwagi and Shusaku Nishikawa replacing Keisuke Honda, the injured Daisuke Matsui and the suspended Eiji Kawashima.

Saudi Arabia boss Nasser Al Johar made just one change, with Ahmed Ateef replacing Saud Khariri.

Japan did not have to wait long before taking the lead as a long ball from Yasuhito Endo caught the Saudi Arabia defence napping and Okazaki pounced for his first of the night, chipping the ball over Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah before he tapped it in from close range.

Okazaki’s second was just as easy five minutes later when his diving header from a Kashiwagi cross proved too hot to handle for Abdullah.

If the match was not already wrapped up by then, it most certainly was when Maeda grabbed his first after 19 minutes.

Again Japan attacked down the left and again poor communication between Abdullah and his defence saw Al Johar’s side concede.

A terrific ball was hit with speed by Yuto Nagatomo and Abdullah, who charged out of goal, was beaten to the ball by Maeda.

Japan were dominant and should have gone further in front if not for Kashiwagi’s wastefulness when presented with a fine opportunity by Okazaki.

But it mattered little as Zaccheroni’s side grabbed the fourth goal just after the break.

This time the goal was created on the right side of the pitch, with Japan’s tactic of getting regular crosses into the box paying off once again.

With the Saudi Arabia defence at sea, half-time substitute Masahiko Inoha’s cross was headed home by Maeda who once again beat Abdullah to the ball.

With the result secured, Japan took the foot off the pedal but were still able to grab a fifth, as Okazaki completed his hat-trick with a terrific finish.

Maeda fed Okazaki the ball on the edge of the box and the striker showed great control to create space before lashing a shot that Abdullah could only get a hand on.

A late free-kick from Mohammad Al Shalhoub nearly provided a rare moment of joy for Saudi Arabia, but his 25-yard effort was excellently saved by Nishikawa as Japan secured a clean sheet to go with their five-goal rout.

Mon 17 January, 2011