Soccer: Back to square one for Saudis

RIYADH - Saudi Arabian fans reflected ruefully on their country's 8-0 thrashing by Germany at the World Cup.

"This smashing defeat takes the Saudi team back to square one," said 32-year-old student Ahmad Mutairi.

"If these are the kinds of scores we're going to see, then they should not have even qualified for the World Cup," said 42-year-old Mubarak Ismail.

"Senegal's victory placed psychological pressure on Saudi Arabia," said Nasser al-Suqair, 45, a government employee.

Senegal beat France 1-0 in the opening match on Friday, raising hopes of the lesser lights, but Germany swiftly restored the balance.

Saudi fan Mohammad Slaiman said: "I think there's an error in the team formation. There are good players but positions were given in the final formation to less-qualified players."

Bookmakers in London now rate the Saudis as 5,000-1 no-hopers and expect their swift exit from the tournament after their remaining two games against Ireland and Cameroon.

- REUTERS

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