Saudi U-23 footballers complete final training ahead of opening Asian Games clash

HANGZHOU, China: The Saudi U-23 national football team completed their final training session on Monday ahead of their opening match on Tuesday at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, in which they will take on Iran.

The young Green Falcons trained at the Shaxong Stadium with head coach Saad Al-Shehri, and were watched by the head of the Saudi Asian Games delegation, Prince Abdullah bin Fahd. He was briefed on the team's preparations and spoke with the players and coaching staff.

Also on Monday, the Saudi basketball team took part in their first training session since arriving in Hangzhou on Sunday. Before they begin their Asian Games campaign they will play a warm-up match against a local Chinese team.

The Kingdom’s fencing, tennis and table tennis teams trained on Monday morning at the Games complex.

The official opening ceremony for the 2022 Asian Games, which were delayed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will take place on Sept. 23, and events will continue until Oct. 8.