"밑장 빼기냐?" 한국 16강에서 피하려고, 서로 지려는 사우디와 태국의 처절한 승부속 밑장빼기 중계카메라에 딱 걸리자, 현지 팬들 충격에 벌어진 입 다물지 못하는 상황

Summary

The script discusses a controversial soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand during the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Both teams are accused of deliberately playing poorly to avoid facing Korea in the Round of 16. The Saudi coach vowed to win the Asian Cup but made odd substitutions and missed penalties, sparking accusations of match-fixing. Experts criticized the unmotivated play and poor sportsmanship, likening Saudi's behavior to China's. Many felt Saudi's trash talking about beating Korea showed their fear of facing the tournament favorites.

Takeaways

• 📺 Saudi Arabia and Thailand engaged in a desperate match to avoid facing South Korea in the Round of 16, reflecting a controversial strategy in sports.
• 🔥 The efforts of Saudi Arabia to avoid South Korea by rotating nine players against Thailand were criticized as near match-fixing, drawing widespread attention.
• 💥 Saudi media accused South Korea of unethical match manipulation for allegedly playing to a draw against Malaysia to avoid Japan, sparking controversy.
• 🤨 Criticism was directed at domestic media for uncritically spreading reports without value, highlighting concerns about journalistic integrity.
• 🏀 Despite both teams' efforts to avoid winning, the match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand ended in a 0-0 draw, leading Saudi Arabia to face South Korea.
• 🛡️ Saudi Arabia's deliberate underperformance in the match against Thailand was seen as an attempt to manipulate the outcome, raising ethical questions.
• 👍 Saudi Arabia's recent hiring of Roberto Mancini with a significant investment aimed at revitalizing their national team, signaling ambitious goals.
• 🏆 Mancini's commitment to winning the Asian Cup and making Saudi Arabia a top football nation reflects high aspirations following their World Cup performance.
• 🔴 The match featured several disallowed goals due to offsides and missed opportunities, including a penalty kick, highlighting a lack of effort to score.
• 💯 Public reaction included frustration and accusations of intentional losing, further fueled by questionable decision-making during the game.
• 📚 European media coverage suggested Saudi Arabia was outwardly confident but internally concerned about facing South Korea, indicating psychological games.

Q & A

Why did Saudi Arabia make so many substitutions against Thailand?

Saudi Arabia made 9 substitutions against Thailand in an attempt to avoid finishing top of their group and facing South Korea in the Round of 16, whom they lost to recently in a friendly match.

What controversial incidents happened in the Saudi Arabia vs Thailand match?

There were several controversial incidents - Saudi Arabia missed a penalty, both teams had goals disallowed for offside multiple times, and Saudi Arabia substituted their main goalscorer despite needing a goal.

How did Saudi Arabia qualify as group winners despite the draw?

Saudi Arabia had already secured more points than any other team in their group before the match, so the 0-0 draw with Thailand confirmed their position as group winners.

What did coach Hervé Renard say about facing South Korea?

He said South Korea are a very good team with experienced players, but emphasized that anything can happen in 90 minutes of football and said his team could also cause Korea problems.

How are Saudi Arabian journalists and media portraying South Korea?

Some Saudi journalists have claimed Korea deliberately drew with Malaysia to avoid Japan. Saudi media is also confident Saudi Arabia can "send Korea home" in the Round of 16 match.

What did Saudi Arabia achieve at the recent World Cup to give them confidence?

Saudi Arabia famously beat Argentina 2-1 in their opening group match of the 2022 World Cup, before ultimately failing to progress from the group stage.

How much did Saudi Arabia pay to hire Hervé Renard as coach?

Saudi Arabia hired the experienced French coach Hervé Renard from the Italian national team for a reported $40 million contract.

What bold claim did Renard make when appointed Saudi Arabia coach?

When appointed in July 2019, Renard declared his intention to make Saudi Arabia champions of Asia and build them into the continent's best football team.

Why do experts say Saudi Arabia's actions against Thailand were childish?

Experts criticized Saudi Arabia's "pathetic performance" against Thailand as the actions of "a child afraid of facing a tiger", trying to avoid facing South Korea.

How did Saudi Arabia confirm progression to the knockout stage?

A 0-0 draw with Thailand, combined with results from other matches, guaranteed Saudi Arabia would finish top of their group and advance to the Round of 16.