Football / World Cup USA '94: Amin maps out future: Saudi Arabia's success markedly changes the region's public image Henry Winter reports

THE grand plan behind Fifa's decision to place the World Cup in Uncle Sam's hoop-dominated backyard was to nurture football in a barren land. But no-one expected that undeveloped realm to be the Middle East.

Excluding Turkey, now considered European, no Middle Eastern team has triumphed on football's foremost stage, although Tartan Army footsoldiers still shuffle uneasily at any mention of Iran.

Saudi Arabia, their mission underwritten by the petrol billionaires of the ruling royal family, improved markedly the region's image on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Morocco, one of Africa's strongest countries. The Giants Stadium contest was 'a wonderful game' in the accurate opinion of the Saudi prince, Bandor Bin Sultan.

Morocco, often bickering but always exhuberant, could consider themselves unfortunate, having spent so much time heading towards Mohammed's Al Deyea's haphazardly protected goal. With his defenders behaving like obsequious doormen ushering through visiting potentates, Al Deyea was constantly called on to show his agility.

The 21-year-old keeper was beaten only once - a routine tap-in for Mohammed Chaouch which cancelled out Sami Al Jaber's early penalty.

The Saudis, lacking neither belief nor skill, regained their composure and moved ahead of the Netherlands in Group F when Fuad Amin despatched in a swerving 25-yarder witout breaking stride.

A point from Wednesday's meeting with the leaders, Belgium, would elevate Jorge Solari's team to another unexpected level. 'We're going to win (against Belgium), ' Amin said, displaying an optimism reflecting his 21 years rather than his impressive collection of 64 caps.

The midfielder, ruled out of the Washington showdown after a second booking, and Al Jaber spoke about how conscious they were that back home, from humble hut to sumptuous palace, a whole nation was united in supplication. 'We won today because every Saudi from the youngest to the oldest prayed for us, ' Al Jaber said.

Driven by such fervour, Amin and Co had placed Saudi Arabia on football's map. Belgium, though, presents a far more dangerous territory.

MOROCCO (4-4-2): Azmi (Raja Casablanca); Abdellah (Waregem), Triki (Chateauroux), Naybet (Sporting Lisbon), El Hadrioui (FAR Rabat); Hababi (Olympic Khouribga), Azzouzi (MSV Duisburg), El Khalej (KAC Marrakesh), Daoudi (Wydad Casablanca); Chaouch (Nice), Bahja (KAC Marrakesh). Substitutes: Laghrissi (Raja Casablanca) for Abdellah, 58; Hadji (Nancy) for Hababi, 74.

SAUDI ARABIA (4-4-2): Al Deayea (Al Tai); Al Anadi (Al Shabab), Al Khilawi (Al Ittihad), Madani (Al Ittihad), Al Jawad (Al Ahli); Amin (Al Hilal), Al Jibreen (Al Riyadh), Al Bishi (Al Nasr), Al Muwallid (Al Ahli); Al Jaber (Al Hilal), Owairan (Al Shabab). Substitutes: Zebermawi (Al Ahli) for Al Anadi, 29; Al Ghashayan (Al Hilal) for Al Jaber, 80.

Referee: P Don (England).