Saudi team In anticipation of what Roberto Manchini’s answers will bring about the exclusion of goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqaidi during the press conference leading up to the Asian Green clash against Amman (Tuesday),
the Italian coach’s decision came against the expectations of Saudi sports street, being one of the most involved local guards this season in the Saudi League, specifically with his club Al-NasR.
The official account of the Saudi team via the “X” platform (Saturday) confirmed that the Italian Roberto Manchini decided to exclude Ayman Yahya, Abbas al-Hasan and Nawaf al-Aqaidi from the final list, just three days before the start of the first Green games in the continental tournament.
Nawaf Al-Aqaidi is one of the most active players this season in the Saudi Professional League, having played 2280 minutes with his team Al-Nasr in various domestic and continental competitions,
during the 2023-2024 season, in addition to being included in the first list, but was disqualified by decision of Roberto Mancini, on the second day of the start of the Asian Cup.
Mancini also ignored Abdullah Al-Ma ‘iouf, the Etihad goalkeeper, despite playing 1110 minutes in all competitions with his Etihad team,
and his key participation during the recent Club World Cup in Jeddah, to be joined by Nawaf Al-Aqaidi, who is also absent from the continental green.
Saudi goalkeeper Marwan Haidari participated with the Gulf in 840 minutes this season in the league and cup championships, but was not among Mancini’s picks.
Among the Saudi guards who were not also on the team list Muhammad Al-Mahassan, an inclusion team player, who this season participated in 720 minutes with his team in the league and cup championships
while Ibrahim Zayed played 630 minutes for the Packers, Mu ‘taz Al-Bakawi, goalkeeper of Al-Tai, participated in 540 minutes this season s guards, who played 540 minutes, but also did not join the Green List.
Abdul Baset Husawi played with only 180 minutes, while Mustafa Angels of Al Fatah’s keeper participated in one 90-minute league match, participating in one match such as Walid Abdullah and Ahmed Al Harbi,
making the appearance of Saudi guards in the Roshin League weak at the level of minutes compared to foreign guards and professionals in various competition teams.
With Roberto Mancini’s convictions to exclude Nawaf al-Aqaidi and disregard for the inclusion of Abdullah al-Ma’ayouf or any other experienced and accurate guard this season,
the Green Guard list only included Raghid al-Najjar, who played 3 games in this season’s league tournament, participating in a 270-minute 180 in the league tournament and 90 in the Asian Champions League.
Goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar, who has played 5 games this season, has a league match and 4 in the ACL with Al-Fayha,
to participate in 495 minutes in various tournaments and become the most participating keeper in minutes on the national team list,
while goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Yami has not participated in any official match this season, either in the league or the cup.
Saudi Arabia will begin their first Asian Cup games by facing Oman (Tuesday). The national team won the continental title for the last time in 1996, after winning the final match against the Emirates on penalties.
