Team: Saudi Arabia

Paqueta set to pay the price

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Coach: Marcos Paqueta
Captain: Sami Al Jaber
Winners: Never - reached the second round in 1994
Pitted against: Spain, Tunisia and Ukraine
Prospects: Unfortunately for new coach Paqueta, there is little to suggest Saudi Arabia will avoid the wooden spoon in the group
Odds: 750-1

Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland had little trouble negotiating a path around Saudi Arabia in Japan and Korea four years ago and it's unlikely their leading 2006 group opponents Spain and Ukraine will have either, writes Paul O'Hehir

That said, the Saudis boast one of the finest qualifying records for these Finals, finishing unbeaten after 12 games. They have also been Asian champions three times ('84, '88 and '96) and it was only after these triumphs that the country introduced a full-time professional set-up.

That professionalism paved the way for a first World Cup appearance in USA '94 and they endeared themselves to many when scoring one of the finest ever goals seen on the international stage. Saeed Owairan memorably slalomed his way from his own goalline before finding the Belgian net at the other end of the pitch.

That victory, twinned with a win over Morocco, saw the Saudis progress from the group stages but they could find no way past Sweden in the next round. Since then, Saudi Arabia have failed to reproduce anything like that form, forcing one draw but five defeats - including an 8-0 loss to Germany four years ago - at France '98 and in Japan & Korea.

Despite their smooth on-field progression to Germany, it has been anything but off the field. Four days before Christmas, the country's Argentine manager Gabriel Calderon, who had delivered World Cup qualification, was sensationally sacked after Saudi Arabia's poor performance at the West Asian Games in Qatar.

Two defeats to Iraq and one against Iran ultimately forced the Saudi football association to act and 47-year-old Brazilian Marcos Paqueta - who describes himself as an "educator" - stepped in to succeed Calderon, who, apparently, hadn't done quite enough to please the Princes governing the game.

Lately, though, Paqueta has found himself the subject of repeated and relentless gossip that his own position is under review following some less than thrilling friendly performances. Although the former Brazilian youth coach is likely to keep his job until the finals, the constant revolving door approach to Saudi soccer affairs looks likely to claim another victim in the not so distant future should results not go his way.

Paqueta, then, will hope the likes of veteran striker Sami Al Jaber and leading goalkeeper Mabrouk Zayed can summon a collective team performance or two of note and demonstrate to his employers that, after just five months in the role, it is perhaps a touch too early to wield the axe. Unfortunately for Paqueta, his side is ultimately handicapped by a lack of experience.

World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Mohammad Al-Deayea (Al-Hilal), Mabrouk Zayed (Al-Ittihad), Mohammad Khouja (Al-Shabab)
Defenders: Ahmad Al-Doukhi (Al-Ittihad), Redha Takar (Al-Ittihad), Hamad Al-Montashari (Al-Ittihad), Ahmad Al-Bahri (Al-Ittifak), Mohammad Masaad (Al-Ahli), Nayef Al-Kadhi (Al-Ahli), Hussein Abdul Ghani (Al-Ahli), Abdul Aziz Al-Khathran (Al-Hilal)
Midfielders: Saoud Kariri (Al-Ittihad), Mohammad Nour (Al-Ittihad), Mohammad Amin (Al-Ittihad), Khaled Aziz (Al-Hilal), Omar Al-Ghamdi (Al-Hilal), Nawaf Al-Temyat (Al-Hilal), Mohammad Al-Shalhoub (Al-Hilal)
Forwards: Sami Al-Jaber (Al-Hilal), Yasser Al-Qahtani (Al-Hilal), Mohammad Al-Anbar (Al-Hilal), Saad al-Harthi (Al-Nasr), Malek Maath (Al-Ahli)