Bangkok: Taiseer Al Jassam believes this will be the last chance he will have of qualifying for a FIFA World Cup as Saudi Arabia prepare to take on Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia currently lead Group B ahead of Japan on goal difference alone and are just a point in front of both Australia and the United Arab Emirates with five games to play on the Road to Russia.
The Gulf state last qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2007 yet Al Ahli midfielder Al Jassam only became a national-team regular the following year and, having failed to progress to the global event ever since, the 32-year-old knows this will be his last chance.
“At this age, I consider it my last opportunity to go to the World Cup,” said Al Jassam, whose team overcame bottom side Thailand 1-0 in the reverse fixture in Riyadh.
“Our group is a combination of young players and more experienced players, which is a good blend.
“None of the players currently playing for the national team have ever qualified for a World Cup before.”
The Saudis’ next two fixtures sees them up against Group B’s bottom two sides, with a home clash against Iraq next week next on the agenda for Bert van Marwijk’s team following the clash in Bangkok.
Tough away games in Australia and the United Arab Emirates follow before Al Jassam and his teammates will round off their qualifying campaign in front of home support against Japan.
Taiseer Al Jassam (pictured right) warms up for Road to Russia action
“If we win the two games against Thailand and Iraq we will be close to qualifying, but right now we are just focused on Thailand,” added Al Jassam.
“All the teams are getting better, so we need to do everything we can to get to the World Cup.”
Saudi Arabia qualified for the FIFA World Cup four times in a row between 1994 and 2006, achieving a best ever last-16 place in the former.
That side then went on to win the 1996 AFC Asian Cup by defeating the UAE on penalties in the final and are widely considered the country’s finest team
“They were such nice memories because everyone was following all the players and matches so closely during the two tournaments,” said Al Jassam.
“I think for all the Saudi players back then, it was a great feeling to be part of a group representing Saudi Arabia.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com