Saudi Gazette report

DOHA — Saudi Arabia completed their final preparations on Sunday ahead of their highly anticipated Arab Cup Qatar 2025 semifinal against Jordan, set to be played on Monday night at Al Bayt Stadium.

The Green Falcons trained at the Aspire training grounds under the supervision of head coach Hervé Renard, with Saudi Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal in attendance.

The session began with a technical meeting between Renard and the players, followed by warm-up drills, tactical exercises in small-sided grids, and a focused session on positional organization and ball possession.

The training was marked by high concentration and clear match readiness.

Saudi Arabia head into the semifinal with ambitions of reaching the final, relying on strong physical and technical preparation and the expected backing of fans at Al Bayt Stadium.

Monday’s encounter is expected to be fiercely contested, with both teams having delivered impressive performances since the start of the tournament.

The balance in quality and form makes all scenarios possible as the two sides battle for a place in the final, scheduled for Thursday at Lusail Stadium.

Saudi Arabia advanced to the semifinals after a 2-1 victory over Palestine, having finished second in Group B with six points. The Green Falcons recorded wins over Oman and Comoros, while suffering a single defeat to Morocco.

Across four matches, Saudi Arabia have scored seven goals and conceded four, reflecting a balanced approach in both attack and defence.

The Green Falcons are aiming to lift the Arab Cup for a third time, having previously won the title in 1998 and 2002.

Renard’s squad features several key players, led by Asian Player of the Year Salem Al-Dawsari, alongside Feras Al-Brikan, Ali Majrashi, Mohammed Kanno — the team’s top scorer in the tournament with three goals — Nawaf Boushal, Hassan Tambakti, goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, and midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr.

Jordan, meanwhile, have been one of the standout teams of the competition, arriving in the semifinals on the back of four consecutive victories.

They opened their group campaign with a 2-1 win over the UAE, followed by a 3-1 victory against Kuwait and a 3-0 triumph over Egypt, before edging Iraq 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami has relied on collective discipline and tactical cohesion, with forward Ali Olwan leading the tournament’s scoring charts with four goals, supported by Mohammad Abu Zrayq, Muhannad Abu Taha, and goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.

Historically, Monday’s match will mark the third Arab Cup meeting between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Each side has claimed one victory in their previous encounters, adding another layer of intrigue to a semifinal that promises intensity, balance, and high stakes.