Saudi Arabia aiming high against Uruguay in Miami opener

Saudi Arabia's coach Georgios Donis declared his team will not adopt a passive strategy in their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Monday. He expects his players to be highly competitive, aiming to win rather than merely avoid defeat in a challenging Group H that also includes Spain and Cape Verde.

Donis emphasized that his philosophy is to instill courage and a distinct identity in the squad. "We are ready to press our opponent. We are ready to play organised defence. We are ready to counterattack. We are also ready to create chances," he stated at a press conference. "We are preparing a team that will play with confidence."

“

We are ready to press our opponent. We are ready to play organised defence. We are ready to counterattack. We are also ready to create chances. We cannot know how the match will unfold (but) we are not preparing a team that will have a passive role and simply wait for the opponent in order to react. We are preparing a team that will play with confidence.

The coach acknowledged the significance of the match but stressed that a defensive mindset goes against the ethos he is trying to build. He pointed to Saudi Arabia's past World Cup successes, including a famous upset win against Argentina in 2022 and reaching the knockout stage in 1994. Donis believes the Saudi players' exposure to top international stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, in the Saudi Pro League provides a significant advantage.

“

Our players are used to having great stars as teammates or opponents. Either they train with them, or they face them in matches. That is a big advantage for my players, because yes, they respect all opponents, but on the other hand, none of this is new to them.

"Our players are used to having great stars as teammates or opponents," Donis said. "Either they train with them, or they face them in matches. That is a big advantage for my players, because yes, they respect all opponents, but on the other hand, none of this is new to them."

Despite having only seven weeks to prepare the squad after taking over from Herve Renard, Donis expressed confidence in the players' embrace of his coaching philosophy. "The time we have trained together is very short. But on the other hand, the players, through their behaviour, have given me confidence as well," he said.

“

The time we have trained together is very short. But on the other hand, the players, through their behaviour, have given me confidence as well.