Mohammed Al-Owais the hero as Saudi Arabia claim a draw with Ecuador

Saudi Arabia had Mohammed Al-Owais to thank for avoiding defeat in their World Cup warm-up match against Ecuador in Spain on Friday, which ended in a goalless draw.

The Al-Hilal goalkeeper was in sparkling form as he kept Herve Renard’s men from falling to a third consecutive loss at the hands of South American opposition, following defeats in June by Colombia and Venezuela.

With less than two months to go before their World Cup opener against Argentina, followed by games against Poland and Mexico, Friday’s draw will be seen as a decent result for the Green Falcons, even if they were second best for much of the game, struggled to make an impression in attack and failed to find the net for a third game in a row.

The South Americans dominated the opening period and will have been frustrated not to be ahead at the break. They should have gone ahead in the ninth minute when Pervis Estupinan sent over a perfect cross from the left. Piero Hincapie was able to get between three defenders and head the ball into the top corner of the net — or so everyone thought. Suddenly, Al-Owais came flying across the goal to make a fantastic save. It was not to be the only time the 30-year-old would be called into action.

There was still less than 15 minutes on the clock when Ecuador had their best chance of the game. Riyadh Sharahili was caught in possession at about the midway point of his own half and the ball was fed to Enner Valencia. Suddenly finding himself through on goal, the Fenerbache forward cut in from the left side but dragged his shot wide when faced with the onrushing Al-Owais.

Soon after, the striker did the same thing from a tighter angle on the other side of the area, as the men in yellow continued to find ways to get