RIYADH: Saudi Arabia continued World Cup preparations on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw against Albania in Abu Dhabi. Here are five things learned from their second of five outing before the big kick-off in Qatar. 1.
Al-Shehri staking his claim to be main man It is welcome that Saudi Arabia scored again, and it came thanks to a penalty from Saleh Al-Shehri just before half-time with the Albanians finding the target just after the break.
That is now two goals in two from the Al-Hilal forward since he returned from injury. He is the only man to score in the last six games and that is something of a worry for the coach Herve Renard, but this was always going to be an issue.
For the last few months, it looked as if the main man up front was going to be Firas Al-Buraikan. The 23-year-old has been in fine form for his club and finished in the top 10 goal scorers in the league last season, the highest-placed local striker.