In search of their first victory in over a year, Bolivia head to Prince Abdullah Al Fasal Stadium for a date with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Last Friday, the Green Falcons dropped their third match of the year, falling 2-1 to Venezuela, while La Verde were shut out 1-0 by Uzbekistan for their third successive defeat.
Match preview
© Reuters
Not even the friendly confines of Jeddah could reverse the Saudi fortunes last week, as they found themselves down by a pair of goals at the half and could not recover.
Tuesday could be the last time we see Herve Renard on the sidelines for the Green Falcons amid reports that the 54-year-old will replace Corinne Diacre as manager of the French women's national team ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this summer.
For a second successive encounter, Saudi Arabia had the bulk of the possession last week but were caught out in transition, allowing just three shots on target to the Venezuelans but conceding twice.
Saudi Arabia have trailed at the interval in three of their last four contests and are winless in that scenario since stunning the soon-to-be world champions Argentina in their opening World Cup encounter, 2-1, last November.
Since the start of 2021, the Green Falcons have only triumphed once in an international friendly against sides outside their own continent, defeating Iceland 1-0 in November 2022.
They have never beaten the Bolivians in three previous matches played against them, with the last game ending in a 2-2 draw in September 2018.
© Reuters
It has been a while since Bolivia have had much to celebrate on the international stage, without a goal in their last three fixtures.
Gustavo Costas was appointed the new manager in November, losing his only two matches in charge so far, as the Bolivians continue to struggle in the attacking third.
The 60-year-old ex-defender will be familiar with Saudi football, previously coaching Al-Nassr and Al-Fayha years ago.
Before the arrival of Costas, La Verde had struggled mightily on the defensive end, conceding 42 goals in 2022 World Cup qualifying, more than any team in the CONMEBOL region, while only maintaining one clean sheet in their last eight outings.
They have, however, kept Saudi Arabia off the scoresheet on two occasions, though Bolivia have not beaten a team from Asia this century.
Costas has gone with a side made up primarily of individuals who apply their trade in South America, as only two players chosen currently feature for a club outside of the continent.
Team News
© Reuters
Hussain Al-Qahtani made his first international appearance for the Saudis last Friday, beginning the match as a holding midfielder alongside Mohamed Kanno, while Fahad Al-Rashidi and Osama Al-Mermesh are still searching for their first caps with the Green Falcons.
Salem Al-Dawsari picked up his 20th goal for the national team in their loss to Venezuela, moving him four shy of Ibrahim Al-Shahrani and Saeed Al-Owairan for 10th all-time.
Haitham Asiri needs one more appearance to reach double digits, Haroune Camara is still searching for his first goal, starting as the lone striker in their previous outing, while Mohammed Al-Owais is four caps away from reaching 50.
Jose Sagredo will not be available for Bolivia on Tuesday, having been red-carded in injury time last week versus Uzbekistan.
Six Bolivians hope to make their first appearance for the senior squad, including Lucas Chavez, Luciano Ursino, David Ribera, Alvaro Quiroga, Marcelo Suarez and Yomar Rocha.
Their all-time leading goalscorer Marcelo Moreno has a chance to hit the century mark for international appearances on Tuesday, and he had the equalising goal when they drew Saudi Arabia in 2018, while Carlos Lampe has not collected a clean sheet internationally since his side trounced Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in a January 2022 friendly.
Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Sharahili, Al-Amri, Al-Harbi; N. Al-Dawsari, Kanno; Al-Aboud, S. Al-Dawsari, Al-Rashidi; Asiri
Bolivia possible starting lineup:
Lampe; Medina, Jusino, Zabala, Fernandez; Cespedes, Bejarano; Terceros, Ursino, Chura; Moreno
We say: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Bolivia
The Bolivians have been a little sharper on the defensive end since Costas took over, but they have not shown to be creative on the ball, so we anticipate the overall quality of the Green Falcons will get the better of them on Tuesday, while possibly sending their manager off on a winning note.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
