Embarrassed Ukrainians Targeting Saudis After Spain Pain
June 19, 2006
Oleg Blokhin's side suffered a shock 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Spain in their opening match, a result that set them back in their bid to progress to the knock-out phase of World Cup while Saudi Arabia were held to a 2-2 draw with Tunisia.
Saudi Arabia coach Marcos Paqueta boldly criticized Ukraine as "weak" after their Spanish debacle, and suggested they needed to change their tactics after finding themselves bottom of Group H following the first set of matches.
"Ukraine is a weak team," said the Brazilian, whose team leaked a goal to Tunisia two minutes into injury time for the North Africans to sneak a draw. "The Saudi players have to benefit from Ukraine's bad situation to get a good result," he said.
"Ukraine have to change the way they play because they need to score goals so they can qualify."
Warning enough for the Saudi back four that they can expect a barrage of attacks spearheaded by Chelsea's record new signing Shevchenko.
The former AC Milan striker has been struggling with a knee injury and he looked out of sorts against the Spaniards, although he said just getting that game under his belt would help.
"I'm glad I played the full 90 minutes after not being in action for such a long time," he said. "The knee was fine but my physical condition is still a long way from my optimal form, but I need to play games to get that form."
Non-firing strikers a main cause for concern for Blokhin
It was a lack of Ukrainian firepower during the Spain game that was most evident, with the former Soviet republic only mustering two shots on target during the entire 90 minutes.
Saudi Arabia have not won a match since their first appearance in the 1994 World Cup when they reached the second round.
Paqueta will be hoping from more of the same from striker Sami al-Jaber, a veteran of four World Cup campaigns who joined an elite club when he came off the bench to score for the 'sons of the desert' against Tunisia.
The 34-year-old became only the third player to have scored at World Cups 12 years apart, joining Pele and German great Uwe Seeler.
Veteran leading the 'sons of the desert'
Both scored their first World Cup goals in 1958 and last in 1970, meaning Jaber, who puts his longevity down to a special diet and employing a fitness trainer, is the first to achieve the feat in 36 years.
"It's great to help the team just immediately after getting on the pitch. Things like that don't happen every time," he said. "We were not lucky (against Tunisia) because we should have won the match but we conceded a goal late in injury time while we were dominating the match. But in the end, that's football."
Jaber added that he expected to come on as a 'super sub' against Ukraine "to help my team get the result it needs."
Right-back Ahmed Dokhi said the second-half performance against Tunisia was a sign that Saudi Arabia's disastrous 2002 World Cup campaign was behind them.
"Our team played very well," Dokhi said. "This will push us to play Ukraine with the same spirit and performance. We will have to play our best to get the three points which will help us get through to the second round."
Midfielder Oleg Gusev is doubtful for Ukraine after injuring his left knee in the loss to Spain.
The Dynamo Kiev player, who failed to appear for the second half against the Spanish, has been unable to train since the match. Gusev apart, coach Blokhin will have all his players available for a game his side must win.