The Saudi junior football team, currently in India is continuing its group matches under the qualifying round of AFC Youth Championship. The Saudi team played its first match in Bangalore on 29th October 2006 against the Iraqi junior team which ended in a draw, both teams scoring 2 goals each.
The Saudi junior team had arrived in Bangalore on 26th October 2006 where it was received by Embassy’s representative, Second Secretary Mr. Abdullah Al-Horyes who was deputed there for this purpose.
The Saudi team will be playing two more group matches against Malaysia and Vietnam after which it will shift, if qualified, to Kolkata to play the qualifying round winners. In Kolkata, the Saudi team will be received by the First Secretary of the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi, Mr. Salem Omer Bashehab who will remain there till the end of the finals and the departure of the team from India. During their stay in Kolkata, the Embassy will host a dinner in honour of the Saudi team and the accompanying delegation with members of the All India Football Federation, the organizers of the Championship, in attendance.
Saudi Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Saleh Mohd. Al-Ghamdi called the head of the Saudi delegation from New Delhi several times to enquire about the Saudi team and its preparedness for the matches and to encourage all to put in their best as they are representing the youth of the Kingdom.