'No one can stop us now': Saudi Arabia fans dare to dream after stunning Argentina win


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Jubilant Saudi Arabia fans are setting their sights on more Qatar glory after their side caused one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating favourites Argentina.

The unfancied Gulf side were widely expected to be the supporting players in the first act of Lionel Messi's bid to finally lift the coveted trophy on Tuesday.

But they stormed back from a goal down to secure an amazing 2-1 win — allowing fans to dream that a Dallas date with destiny could be repeated in Doha 28 years on.

Saudi Arabia emerged from the group stages of a World Cup for the only time in the US in 1994, eventually losing out to Sweden in the last 16 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

One more win — from remaining group games against Mexico and Poland — could be enough to extend their stay in Qatar.

Shock win just the start

“This win will help us go through, which would be an amazing achievement,” said Khaled Mohammed, a 30-year-old teacher from Jeddah, who was cheering on his home heroes in Qatar.

“The goals from Al Dawsari and Al Shehri were special. They played like men, and with their hearts. We have dreamt of playing in this World Cup for five years. This win has come from a higher power. No one can stop us now.”

It was a victory to cherish for Saudi Arabia's sizeable following in neighbouring Qatar after a group stage exit in the 2018 World Cup.

Moment of pride for all Arabs

Ali Eid said the historic win was a proud moment for all Arabs. The National
Ali Eid said the historic win was a proud moment for all Arabs. The National

Ali Eid, a retired banker from Jeddah who flew in for the match, said it was a win that the entire Arab world could be proud of in the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East.

“It was fantastic, everyone was happy. This is something very proud, not just for Saudi but all Arabs,” he said.

“This is the best thing we could have — it is like a gift.”

Mr Eid feels the team are capable of claiming a spot in the last 16 after withstanding all that Messi and his teammates could throw at them.

“I don’t think we can win it but we can make the last 16 now.

“This experience is enough for us. We looked like Argentina, and they looked like Saudi. Messi was nowhere.”

Next up for the overjoyed Saudi side will be a clash with Poland — another team featuring one of the world's best players in Robert Lewandowski — on Saturday before they finish the group stage against Mexico next Wednesday.

Their army of supporters can now dare to believe their World Cup adventure has only just begun.

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If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

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What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

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Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:

  • Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
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Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free

Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)

Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)

Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)

Day 1 results:

Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)

Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)

Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

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Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington 

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Results

6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

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7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

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7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

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8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m

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8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

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Updated: November 23, 2022, 8:27 AM`