Saudi Arabia and Croatia… a first comparison and a last experience

The Saudi top soccer team will conclude its preparations to participate in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by facing Croatia on Wednesday at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh in an international test match, the first between the two teams.
Al-Akhdar prepared for the World Cup through three stages, the first and second in Spain, during which he played 4 test matches, while the third stage was in the capital of the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi, where he organized a camp of 25 days, during which he played 5 test matches, where he defeated Macedonia «1 -0» and against Iceland with the same result, and drew negatively with Ecuador and America, as a draw «1- 1» with Panama.
Saudi Green is participating in the World Cup for the sixth time, the best of which was in the first in 1994 when he reached the final price of the tournament hosted by the United States of America.
Saudi Arabia will play its first World Cup match against Argentina next Tuesday, in Group C, which includes Mexico and Poland.
The French coach, Hervé Renard, previously announced the final list, which included 7 players who had previously participated in the last World Cup in 2018 in Russia.
Renard is expected to introduce the basic elements he will rely on in competitive matches, especially after Salman Al-Faraj, Sultan Al-Ghannam and Saleh Al-Shehri have recovered from injuries and achieved readiness.
For his part, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic commented on his potential opponent, saying: “They are a fighting team and we will do our best.”
“We have to go into the match with 100% concentration, and there is no other way, and of course I hope to win,” Dalic said, speaking on state television HRT.
The 56-year-old coach added: “I hope it will be a good match. We are playing a match with a good opponent and I am following their teams and their league. A lot has changed since I left Saudi Arabia, but there are players I’ve coached and know their qualities. I expect a difficult duel, and I hope there won’t be any.” Injuries and for the two teams to have a good test.”
Dalic revealed the participation of captain Luka Modric and veteran Ivan Perisic in the match, adding: “But the number of minutes is still unknown.”