RIYADH. Dec 11: ( ' ~~] The oil-rich Sau-

dis. preparing for their first World I Cup final appe-

arance. have lots of hope and anew coach — but little chance of victory, reports AP.

The Saudi passion for soccer and their World Cup finals debut have unleashed a tremendous sense of hope in the country, which 50 years ago was one of the poorest in the world.

The discovery of oil wells — one-quarter of known reserves of the world lie under its deserts — transformed Saudi Arabia into one of the world's richest nations.

Now a soccer team has gushed to the surface and has the chance to make a name for itself at next year’s tournament in the United States. Realism tells the Saudis they probably

will struggle.

They qualified along with South Korea from the final Asian group played in Qatar in October, but squeezed in after a 4-3 victory over Iran.

The also had coaching troubles during the tournament. Mohammed Al_-Kharrashi tfas rushed to Doha after Brazilian coach Jose Candido fell out with Saudi soccer officials when they insisted on replacing the goalkeeper.

Al-Kharrashi was only a stopgap coach and has been Yeplaced by experienced Dutchman, Leo Beenhakker. who was in charge of the Netherlands' team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Under' Candido, the Saudis relied on a South American style with flowing attacks from the wing and a strong accent on midfield play. Beenhakker is likely to add

some European steel in defence.

Inspirational striker Mo hammed Majed, 35. is known locally as the Pele of the Desert, while midfielder Saeed Owairan scored seven goals during qualification and Ahmed Madani impressed at the centre of defence.

But the Saudis' lack of World Cup experience lias meant they will be in the group of six teams seeded aS weakest. That guar antees they will face three theoretically stronger fyams when the 24 finalists are grouped together.

The players can’t wait to get to the competition but are bracing themselves for the posslbll ity of being overwhelmed by the strongest teams in the world.

"I can't explain how good the feeling is." said striker Sami Al-Jaber. "But I hope that I have a similar feeling after the World Cup is over."