Who is Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Saudi Arabia's young custodian at AFC Asian Cup 2023?

Nawaf Al-Aqidi will be in charge of keeping the nets safe for Saudi Arabia in AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

Within the dynamic atmosphere of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, a young gun will be seen taking up the charge of keeping the nets for Saudi Arabia. Having six clean-sheets in 25 outings for Al Nassr so far, the 23-year-old young goalkeeper, Nawaf Al-Aqidi debuted for Saudi Arabia on 6th January 2023 under head coach Saad Al-Shehri in the Arabian Gulf Cup against Yemen and was successful in registering a clean-sheet.

Since his debut, he has made only four appearances for the national side but his performance in the domestic competitions have earned him his much-desired spot in the national team for the upcoming Continental showpiece of the Asian Football Confederation.

His remarkable reflexes and goalkeeping acumen makes him a statutory figure under the bars. With young blood flowing in his veins, the goalkeeper encompasses a sense of shear will and tenacity. As the curtains unfold, Asian giants Saudi Arabia, who stunned a Lionel Messi-led Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, now take the field on the same soil once again, gearing up to pen down yet another achievement in Asian football.

Here we’ll look at what Nawaf Al-Aqidi has to offer the opposition in the AFC Asian Cup.

Prior Experience

Nawaf Al-Aqidi’s footballing journey unfolded at the Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr’s U-19 side, the club which has been into making headlines in recent times after a streak of stalwart signings that included the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte among others. In the 2019/20 season, he made his Al Nassr senior team debut. Later, in the upcoming season, he moved to Al Tai on a one-year loan deal.

With the end of his loan deal, Nawaf returned to his boyhood club, and since then has been a regular name in their starting XI.

Type of Player

Nawaf Al-Aqidi is a defensive goalkeeper by instincts. He is someone who won’t be charging in towards the oppositions’ counter in a one-on-one scenario on a normal day. A player possessing strong hands and shear reflexes, he is someone who will be waiting patiently on the goal line for the right moment to react.

Defensive goalkeepers have a tendency of reacting at the end moment, prevailing to their fast reflexes. But at times, it can cost the team a hefty price since a delay of a split second can see the opposition find the ball at the back of the net if things don’t go as planned.

What does he bring to the team?

Well Al-Aqidi doesn’t boast a huge wealth of experience but with the onset of the AFC Asian Cup, many scouts will be keepin an eye on the 23-year-old. As the expectations soar high, a team which showcases a stealth frontline with the likes of Salem Al Dawsari and Salem Al Faraj, Mancini’s men will be one of the prime title contenders in this edition of the competition. Their possession-based playstyle, accompanied by clinical finishing and a strong backline, is an artistry of footballing brilliance at its very best.

Nawaf Al-Aqidi will be entrusted with the custodian duties as he will lead the charge from the back. He will be seen playing a key role in this contest to support a well-balanced, formidable squad on the upfront.

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