Saudi Arabia: World Cup player by player

The Saudis are looking for their seventh straight win in competitive matches but Germany may prove too hard to beat.

GOALKEEPERS

MOHAMMAD Al-DEAYEA

Al-Deayea is approaching his third World Cup finals and has won the Gulf Cup twice and the Asian Cup in 1996 with the Saudi side. The undoubted first choice with good handling but he can rush from goal at times to flail at crosses.

MOHAMMAD BABAKAR Al-KHOJALI

Appeared in qualifiers when Al-Deayea was injured, he is the second choice goalkeeper and lacks the experience and commanding presence of the senior man who is prone to dropping crosses and relying on punching the ball out of danger.

MABROUK ZAID

Young goalkeeper who is set to get some experience but will only be used if calamitous injuries strike the two higher ranking specialists.

DEFENDERS

ABDALLAH SULAIMANE

He did not appear at all in World Cup qualifiers but has been introduced into the side by al-Johar with some success. Good club form means he may start and is a quick tackling zonal option for the coach.

HUSSEIN ABEL GHANI Al-SOLAIMANI

Played in all but one of the qualifiers to reach Japan and Korea and a very tenacious versatile defender who has been used on the left hand side of the defence or as a wing-back in midfield. Prone to rash tackling and can look crude but gives the side real balance and he is a certain starter.

MOHSEN Al-HARETHI

A recent introduction to the squad who played no World Cup qualifiers, Al-Hareth is the second choice centre back and the only Al-Nasr player to make the squad.

FAWZI Al-SHEHRI

Another new face introduced by al-Johar and a defender who played no part in the World Cup qualifiers but now introduced as he can cover for several options in the back-line but most likely to feature in wide positions.

AHMED Al-DOKHI Al-DOSSARI

The first choice right back for the coach and a tough defender who can tackle well. He is worth his place for more than that and can also break forward to get into wide positions and can cross well.

REDAH TAQER FALLATAH

Introduced by al-Johar as cover for centre backs and has had a good season with Al-Shahbab. Clears well but has a rather limited game based on positional sense.

MOHAMED ASHLEYA Al-JOHANI

Not a certainty at right-back but has valuable experience in defence which perhaps al-Johar's selections are lacking overall. He helped Saudi win the Asian Cup in 1996 and also played in the 1998 World Cup finals but without distinction under Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

MANSOUR Al-THAQAFI

Inexperience centre back who is unlikely to feature unless there are injuries. Reasonable in the air but can be caught out of position.

MIDFIELDERS

KHAMIS Al-OUAIRAN

Former star midfielder whose international career has been resurrected by al-Johar. Rangy, leggy but powerful runner who can dribble well and is set to be used as a substitute if the coach wants to inject some dynamism into the last half hour.

ABDALLAH Al-WAKED

New face who can run hard and tackle to set up the play for others and is best at covering for the defence and did not feature in qualifiers.

MOHAMED NOUR Al-HOSSAWI

Midfield worker who has great club form and is a regular in the national side now. The loss of Khamis al-Dossari to injury helped him get into the team and he stayed on once al-Johar returned to power. Mobile and quick with good feet and he can link play very well.

NAWAF Al-TEMYAT

The midfield star and agile play maker of the team whose clever passing sets up runs from midfield colleagues and strikers. These finals should reveal if he is a commanding presence or not at this level but he was Asian player of the Year in 2000 before an injury to his knee put him out of action for ten months.

ABDEL AZIZ Al-KHATHRAN

Wide player who did not feature in the qualifiers but introduced to help give cover to others in midfield. Only likely to be used as a substitute.

OMAR Al-GAMEDI

Central midfielder who understudies for the injured Khamis Al-Dosari and should start every game at the finals. He can break up play and pass the ball well and he often looks for Temyat after winning the ball.

MOHAMMAD Al-SHALHOUB

Clever winger who can beat players and he could be a key player for the Saudis as they lack options in attack. He can be marked out of the game and lacks strength to really make an impact but a neat technician.

STRIKERS

SAMI Al-JABER

The focus of the Saudi attacking play, al-Jaber rarely scores himself but is crucial in any of the successful Saudi attacks. In 27 qualifiers he scored 3 goals so it can be assumed he is an ineffective frontman. Not so. He is a constant threat with his excellent passing and he is so mobile that he is difficult to mark and can start an attack from a long way back. Sees space very well and hits it with a pass. When he does this in the final third of the field it means goalscoring chances for Saudi Arabia. Technically excellent player.

Al-HASSAN Al-YAMI

Understudies the more experienced Al-Jaber in the withdrawn striker's role and is unlikely to be used other than as a substitute. He was used four times as a sub in the qualifiers and scored once.

ABDALLAH Al-JAMAAN Al-DOSSARI

A real one to watch due to his prowess at long range shooting. Launches shots on target from a distance and may like the new World Cup balls to be used at the finals. A strong runner with the ball and quick but he may not be a certain starter although can be a good substitute to help attacks. Really a midfielder.

OBEID Al-DOSSARI

Wide right player who pushes on into midfield and is a good crosser of the ball. Fast and with two good feet he can move into the centre of midfield and is the most attacking of the defensive players. A good finisher with either foot.

IBRAHIM SUWAYED Al-SHAHRANI

Experienced midfielder who is a surprise inclusion as a striker. Experience in tournament play as a squad player rather than first choice option and he is only a striker nominally and prefers to play in a withdrawn role in midfield.