Lead:
The Saudi national team secured a 3-2 friendly victory over South Korea on Friday, marking the first time in 46 years of direct meetings that the Green squad has scored three goals in a single match against the Asian rival. The win extends Saudi Arabia's unbeaten run to six consecutive victories across 45 days under coach Georgios Donis.
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Georgios Donis, Saudi Arabia national team coach — FIFA praised Donis as a "knot-breaker" on its official website following the South Korea triumph, highlighting his distinctive technical leadership and success in dismantling historical obstacles for Saudi football. Donis confirmed his commitment to continuing with the national team, dismissing recurring rumors of his dismissal and emphasizing the importance of stability.Abdulilah Al-Amri, Saudi Arabia defender — Al-Amri scored one goal and recorded a match rating of 7.8, the joint-highest among Saudi players, combining 53 touches with 83% pass accuracy and three successful defensive interventions in the South Korea match.Saudi Arabia U23 national team — The under-23 squad defeated Kuwait 1-0 in a friendly on Friday, with Said Al-Motairi scoring in the 70th minute under Italian coach Luigi Di Biagio.Saudi badminton team — The national badminton squad topped the gold medal count at the West Asian Regional Championships for juniors and youth in Bahrain (November 5-12), claiming seven gold medals alongside five silver and six bronze across age categories under 16, 19, and 23.Saudi Arabia national team preparation — Coach Donis granted players rest on Saturday following the South Korea fixture, with training resuming Sunday evening at Al-Irsal pitch ahead of a friendly against Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Doha, marking the final match of the current FIFA international window.Muhammad Muhzari, Saudi midfielder — Medical examinations confirmed a hamstring injury to Muhzari, necessitating his exclusion from the current camp and return to Riyadh for rehabilitation with his club.What to Watch:
The Saudi national team faces Uzbekistan on Tuesday at Jassem Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, concluding a camp conducted during the November FIFA international break. The match will test whether Donis can extend the team's six-match winning run against another Central Asian opponent.