Saudis schedule Qatar clash

The two World Cup hopefuls last met in January 2007 at the Gulf Cup in the UAE in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Saudis, who are looking to reach the World Cup finals for the fifth successive time, take on their Gulf rivals on August 30, six days after they are scheduled to conclude their training camp in the Czech Republic.

Nasser Al Johar’s side will escape the oppressive summer heat of the Middle East on July 27 when they head to Central Europe where they have arranged a friendly with Paraguay.

The match against La Albirroja (the white and red) is slated for August 20 and will mark only the second time Saudi Arabia and Paraguay have met, with the two sides playing out a goalless draw in Dhahran in 1986.