Four years ago the Saudis arrived in the US Brimming with self-belief, upset Morocco and Belgium and gave the Netherlands a fright on their way to the second round. With talk of going all the way the bubble burst as they lost to eventual semi-finalists Sweden and went home.

Their 1994 star was Saeed Owairan, whose goal after a run the length of the pitch against Belgium was one of the highlights of the tournament.

This time round the Saudis are pinning their hopes on slimline striker Sami Al-Jaber and Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, the man who led Brazil to victory in 1994.

The Saudis also have a superb goalkeeper in the athletic Mohammed Al-Deayea. They may well need him in a testing Group `C' where they face France, Denmark and South Africa.

Saudi Arabia generally play a 4-4-2 formation, relying on the pacy Al-Jaberand prolific scorer Fahad Mehallel to provide the attacking punch. Dashing mid-fielder Owairan returns after a one-year suspension.

Parreira is fully aware that the 1994 performance was a double-edged sword, creating massive expectations this time around.

``Everyone goes crazy about the World Cup, people get obsessed,'' he admitted.

The Saudis entered qualifying bolstered by their 1996 Asian Cup win under Portuguese coach Eduardo Vingada.