Saudi soccer team is in a must-win situation in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers when it plays Iran at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. The ‘Sons of the Desert' are fourth with four points in Group B behind Iran, which is third with six points. South Korea tops the group with eight points, one ahead of North Korea. Losing points against Iran may end the Saudi team's run toward a fifth World Cup or at least miss the chance for an automatic place in the Finals. The only good news in the Saudi team was the confidence of the head coach of the team Jose Peseiro who took over from former national coach Nasser Al-Johar recently. Portuguese coach confirmed that he was sure of his boys' abilities and the Saudi team will return home with three points from this crucial game. Iran coach Ali Daei responded with the same challenge when he was asked about the new coach for the Saudi side. The former Iranian international indicated that he did not yet know much about the new Saudi Arabia's Portuguese boss, but Iran could defeat its opponent despite the technical staff. The two sides have shared the spoils in their last match when they drew 1-1 in the first leg match that was held in Riyadh in September 2008. Saudi Arabia had a short training camp in Riyadh where the team played a friendly match against Iraq which ended in a goalless draw. Iran, meanwhile, won two friendlies against Kenya and Kuwait. Saudi Arabia will miss the services of its front line trio of Yasser Al-Qahatni, Malek Al-Hawsawi and Saad Al-Harthi. The coach included Nasser Al-Shamarani, Essia Al-Muhainai, Naif Hazazi and Rayan Bilal to fill the gaps of the trio. Meanwhile, defender Hussain Sulaimani, who struts his stuff for Swiss side Neuchatel, has joined the team on Tuesday. Saudi team arrived in Tehran Thursday. The match will kick off at 5:30 P.M. local time. In other matches in Asia, Japan meets Bahrain, Uzbekistan faces Qatar and North Korea take on the UAE. Japan coach Takeshi Okada believes the return of his Europe-based players can help his side avenge a January loss to Bahrain when the two sides clash in a World Cup qualifier Saturday. Japan lost 1-0 in the Gulf state in an Asian Cup qualifer two months ago, but that was without the likes of Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura. “I'm sure that Bahrain are an offensive team against any teams,” Okada told reporters. “But if we play our 100 percent, I believe we can win.” Okada said he had a better squad with more talent available for the crunch home match which could boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. __
