Saudi Arabia’s use of cover shadows

At many times throughout the match, Australia’s back three looked shaky when in possession. Saudi Arabia’s defensive strategy, which included the intelligent use of cover shadows, contributed to this perception as passing options into midfield were controlled by the front three of Al Sahlawi, Al-Dawsari and Al-Shehri. As it was essentially a 3v3 situation, Saudi Arabia were able to opt for a man coverage system, whilst measuring their runs to ensure Mooy and Jedinak were not in a viable passing line. The front three, as pictured below, were able to cover each member of the Australian back three individually, with the spare man of Mooy or Jedinak being able to be covered by advanced midfielder Al-Jassam. The two holding midfielders were then able to screen Australia’s Rogic and Irvine, with the relevant full-back stepping up on one of Leckie or Smith/Behich, depending on which side the ball was on.

Saudi Arabia employing cover shadows and man-oriented defending

As seen above, this aggressive strategy ensured difficultly in progression for Australia, often allowing the Saudi’s to start their attacks from positions close to Mat Ryan’s goal. On occasion, Trent Sainsbury was able to break the first line of pressure by playing a ball to the feet of Mooy or Jedinak, who were then able to act as the foundation of the subsequent sequence of possession.

Exceptional KSA combination play

In the latter stages of the first half particularly, Saudi Arabia put on a lesson in combination play. In order to escape the aggressive of Australian press, the Saudi’s would play a series of one touch passes and ultimately change the direction of play. Then, after a sustained sequence of slower passes in wide areas, Mooy and Jedinak would be drawn across to assist in regaining possession – at this point, it is important to note that there are only two ways of beating a player; a change of speed or a change in direction. Once the holding midfielders were pulled away from the space they were initially defending, Al-Jassam positioned himself between the lines, which triggered an extraordinary change of pace. A vertical ball was played into the space, and Al-Jassam repeatedly found himself driving towards the back three of the Socceroos.

Crisp combination play enabled the Saudis to create goal-scoring opportunities.

This principle factored into both Saudi goals, and was a hallmark of their overall play throughout the game. Again and again, they escaped the press with one-touch passing, drew players out of position with slower, more sustained possession and capitalised on the created space by quick circulation.