Fahad Al-Muwallad released by Levante for Saudi Arabia friendly against Greece

SEVILLE: Fahad Al-Muwallad has been released early by Spanish side Levante in order to allow him to join up with Saudi Arabia ahead of Tuesday’s friendly with Greece at the 60,000-seat Estadio de La Cartuja.
Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi and his squad have spent the past three weeks in Marbella preparing for the June 14 World Cup curtain-raiser against hosts Russia in Moscow. Al-Muwallad, however, was absent for much of the camp after being retained by Levante, who handed him his La Liga debut last Monday.
The Saudi Arabia Football Federation confirmed on Monday evening Al-Muwallad is available for the Greece clash, although his fitness will need to be assessed.
The first 10 days of this month’s camp was almost exclusively cardio- and strength-based training as Pizzi looks to increase his options ahead of the summer showpiece. The second phase focused more on technique and tactics with particular attention given to offensive movements. With Pizzi well aware he must unlock goals in a squad that has scored only seven in their past five games, the return of the pacy winger Al-Muwallad will be a timely boost.
Unlike the Al-Ittihad winger, Al-Nassr’s Yahya Al-Shehri has spent the past four-and-a-half months on loan at Leganés without breaking into the first team. Now, with the diminutive midfielder having not completed 90 minutes this calendar year, questions surround his fitness. He did, however score his side’s second in a ponderous 2-0 win against Algeria, despite only playing the final 20 minutes.
“There is no doubt that we will be focused on our defensive organization to ensure we can control the game better than we did against Algeria,” said Al-Shehri. “But the coach is also having us focus on the offensive side, which is so important for the style he wants us to play.”
While Pizzi demands high-intensity from his players, urging them to attack in numbers and press high, his opponents tonight were chosen by the Argentine because they traditionally play in a physical style comparable to that of Russia.
Greece were beaten just once during the group stage of World Cup qualifying and only missed out on a place at the World Cup after losing a European play-off to Croatia. In March, coach Michael Skibbe’s side beat Egypt 1-0, so Tuesday’s clash could offer insight into how the Green Falcons may fare against the North Africans, who they will also face in Russia.
Only with the match not marked on FIFA’s international calendar, Greece — like Algeria last week — will be without almost all its overseas stars. Skibbe has been forced to include 10 uncapped players in his experimental home-based squad, while also finding a place for the experienced midfielder Alexandros Tziolis, who plays for Riyadh-based Al-Fayha.
Nonetheless, Al-Ahli goalkeeper Yasser Al-Mosailem said he has “no doubt” Greece will provide stronger opposition than Algeria, while Al-Shehri urged his teammates to improve in front of goal.
“I think that, like any team that is reaching the end of its training preparation, we are at a very advanced level compared to our previous phase,” he said. “We know the tactics now of the new coach and are getting increasingly familiar with them. I think already we have reached a good level with him and, God willing, we can reach the best level yet starting with Greece and going into the last phase.”

Fahad Al-Muwallad released by Levante for Saudi Arabia friendly against Greece