Ukraine hope to bounce back in World Cup group H vs Saudi Arabia
If FIFA World Cup experience alone was the measure of a team’s pedigree, then Ukraine would be clearly at a disadvantage against their next opponents Saudi Arabia, a side playing on the world stage for the fourth time. Right now, the disadvantage stands at one point, however, after both teams made a disappointing start in Group H.
Coasting towards victory against Tunisia, Saudi Arabia allowed themselves to be pegged back and had to settle for a point. If that constituted a minor disappointment, Ukraine’s setback was significantly larger: after breezing through a tricky qualifying campaign en route to their first finals, they went down 4-0 to a rampant and free-flowing Spain side in their opening game. The two sides will be aiming to do better at the second time of asking in Hamburg on Monday 19 June (18:00 CET).
Yasser Al Khatani v Andriy Shevchenko: The 24-year-old Al Khatani has scored an astonishing 33 goals in 46 appearances for Saudi Arabia, including the first goal against Tunisia. However, the Chelsea-bound Ukrainian is no slouch either, having racked up an equally impressive 29 goals in 65 appearances.
When the two marksmen go head-to-head on 19 June, Al Khatani will have his sights set on moving up the FIFA World Cup scorers’ chart, while ‘Sheva’ will be desperate to open his own account at world football’s premier competition.
Saudi Arabia’s 8-0 loss to Germany in 2002 was the biggest margin of defeat at a World Cup finals since El Salvador lost 10-1 to Hungry in 1982. Ukraine were the first team to qualify for the 2006 finals and are the only European country making their debut.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
World Cup Game Odds: Sports Interaction
Ukraine 1.44 vs Saudi Arabia 6.50
World Cup Prediction: Ukraine to beat the Saudis, 2-0.
Related: FIFA World Cup Betting Tips, World Cup Soccer Picks, World Cup Soccer Stories and Rumors, World Cup Bracket, Schedules, Team Profiles and Germany Travel and Leisure
June 19th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
[...] Ukraine hope to bounce back in World Cup group H vs Saudi ArabiaIf FIFA World Cup experience alone was the measure of a team?s pedigree, then Ukraine would be clearly at a disadvantage against their next opponents Saudi Arabia, a side playing on the world stage for the fourth time. … [...]
June 19th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
[...] Ukraine hope to bounce back in World Cup group H vs Saudi ArabiaIf FIFA World Cup experience alone was the measure of a team?s pedigree, then Ukraine would be clearly at a disadvantage against their next opponents Saudi Arabia, a side playing on the world stage for the fourth time. … [...]