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World Cup 2018 power rankings

By James Dudko

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Football – Fifa World Cup Russia 2018 / “rSaudi Arabia Team _ Preview Set – “rOsama Hawsawi
Football – Fifa World Cup Russia 2018 / “rSaudi Arabia Team _ Preview Set – “rOsama Hawsawi /

31. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia will rely on being stingy at the back to help try and navigate Group A. Thankfully, the nation’s best player is skipper Osama Hawsawi.

He may be 34, but Hawsawi remains a physical and smart center-back. He is aggressive in the challenge but also comfortable on the ball.

Hawsawi will be counted on to keep things tight at the back. Further forward, striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi will be the main source of goals.

Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi used to be in charge of Chile, so may opt to play the same stylish, possession-based game. If so, he may lean on La Liga trio Salem Al-Dawsari, Yahya Al-Shehri and Fahad Al-Muwallad in a squad otherwise made up mostly of homegrown players.

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