2023 Asian Cup: Saudi Arabia profile including fixtures, tournament record and key players

The rescheduled 2023 Asian Cup kicks off this week in Qatar. Three-time champions, Saudi Arabia begin their campaign on January 16 against Oman. Group F also contains Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.

Here we profile Roberto Mancini’s side as they look to snap almost three decades without the trophy.

Not making their tournament debut until the 1984 tournament in Singapore, Saudi Arabia announced their status as a major player on the continent by winning the title at the very first attempt. They successfully defended it four years later, then finished runner-up, winner, runner-up in the next three editions. In 10 appearances, Saudi Arabia have both a trio of wins and silver medals – although they last reached a final in 2007.

Winner x 3: Saudi Arabia’s inaugural title was sealed when they defeated China 2-0 in the final at Singapore’s National Stadium thanks to goals from Shaye Al Nafisah and Majed Abdullah. Four years later, they needed penalties to get past South Korea in the showpiece in Doha – the match had finished 0-0 – while they prevailed via a shoot-out once more in 1996 to take the title against the UAE. Saudi Arabia triumphed 4-2 on spot-kicks at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi after playing out a goalless draw with the hosts.

Heading into the UAE-based tournament off the back of a notable victory against Egypt at the 2018 World Cup, the Saudis won two of their three opening matches to progress from Group E in second place. Qatar, who defeated them 2-0, won the pool. However, Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side were eliminated in the very next round, losing 1-0 to Japan in Sharjah.

Yasser Al Qahtani – 6 goals (12th on tournament’s all-time list).

Majed Abdullah’s solo effort: Having got to the final in their debut appearance in