Donis sad despite Saudi Arabia's 3-0 win: Alaa Al-Hajji may miss rest of Gulf 27

Head coach Georgios Donis left the pitch with a heavy heart even though Saudi Arabia had just beaten Oman 3-0 in the Gulf 27 group stage. The Greek tactician did not hide his sadness after watching several key players suffer injuries, including one case that could be sidelined for the rest of the tournament. Saudi Arabia became the first team to officially qualify for the Gulf 27 semi-finals thanks to a dominant win over Oman. But in his post-match media briefing, Donis spent most of the time talking about worries, not the victory. He confirmed that Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Alaa Al-Hajji, Hassan Kadesh and Mohammed Al-Qahtani all had physical problems. Notably, Alaa Al-Hajji is at risk of missing the remainder of the competition. The 3-0 scoreline was good, but Donis admitted the match was not as perfect as the result suggested. He said the first half showed a good mentality, while the second half was different. The team wasted many chances and lost the sharpness required. For a coach who values consistency above all, this is a warning sign before the knockout stage. Initial assessments suggest Alaa Al-Hajji is the most serious case. If he is unavailable for the rest of the tournament, Saudi Arabia will need an alternative in a defensive area already under pressure. Four absent players at nearly the same time test the squad's depth. In a short tournament, rotation is no longer an option but a necessity. The immediate context remains favorable. Saudi Arabia already has a semi-final place. In the final group match, only a draw against Iraq is needed to top the group. That opens a chance for Donis to rest key players and give substitutes minutes. But rotation is a double-edged sword. If the second-string side lacks cohesion, media pressure will grow before the knockout round. Donis repeatedly emphasized the mental factor. He said tactics matter, but the confidence and psychological state of the players are the foundation. That comment suggests the second-half problem was not simply physical. Saudi Arabia may have lost concentration after taking the lead, or players began thinking about Iraq and the semi-finals. If this pattern returns against a sharper opponent than Oman, they will pay a price. From a tactical perspective, the 3-0 win should not be read as total dominance. Donis admitted the team wasted many chances in the second half, meaning control did not last the full 90 minutes. Without advanced stats such as expected goals or pressing numbers, it is easy to be misled by the scoreline. The blind spot analysts must track is how Saudi Arabia manages the personnel crisis. Losing several players in a short tournament is different from losing them in a long qualification campaign. In the semi-final, every small mistake can end the competition. Donis needs to identify a core strong enough to play two decisive matches in a row, rather than simply patching positions. In that context, the match against Iraq becomes a real test of squad depth. Iraq are not a weak opponent, but Saudi Arabia can rotate willingly because top spot remains in their hands. Donis may use this game to test replacements for injured players. If the new faces perform well, it will ease concerns ahead of the semi-final. Conversely, if Donis fields a very different team and the result is poor, the narrative will quickly turn. The question is not whether Saudi Arabia reach the semi-finals, but how they enter it in terms of spirit and available personnel. The victory over Oman brought three points, but the losses suffered in that match could shape the entire journey ahead. Based on my experience following matches, this is the moment to watch how the coach manages risk, not the scoreline. Saudi Arabia are still title contenders, but only if the medical staff control the injury situation. Alaa Al-Hajji missing the rest of the tournament would force Donis to restructure the defence. Semi-final opponents will not ignore this weakness. In short, Saudi Arabia have completed their group-stage duty but are paying a price in personnel. Donis is sad despite the win because he understands knockout matches are decided by stability and squad depth. The three points against Oman matter, but they cannot replace the injured players. The question now is not whether Saudi Arabia reach the semi-finals, but how far they can still go.