Former Nigerian captain, Austin Okocha didn’t hold back his criticism of the Saudi Arabia team after they were thrashed 5-0 by Russia in the opening match of Group A, 2018 World Cup.
Two goals from Denis Cheryshev, one each by Yuri Gazinskiy, Artem Dzyuba and Aleksandr Golovin gave the hosts a deserved victory over Saudi on Thursday evening at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Speaking as an analyst on SuperSport following the match, Okocha, who represented Nigeria at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup, believes the Saudi were whipped by Russia because of the standard of their domestic league.
”Deservedly, they were beaten 5-0, I think they exposed the standard that they are playing at, the level of their league,” Okocha said.
”If you are not playing competitive football week in, week out, you will struggle, you will get exposed.
”Their tactical discipline was nowhere to be found, their understanding of how to defend wasn’t there. In as much as I was surprised, I am glad that we’ve gotten off to a great start,” he said.
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