Saudis set Kosovo rematch

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia will get the chance to avenge their humbling 1-0 defeat by Kosovo when the three-time Asian champions face the non-FIFA affiliated side in a friendly on August 22.

The national team of Kosovo – a predominantly ethnic Albanian region that is seeking independence from Serbia – embarrassed the Saudis last June when they won a friendly match in Turkey courtesy of a late penalty from FC Aarau midfielder Kristian Nushi.

The match against Kosovo is one of three friendlies that the Saudis have scheduled for their training camp in Switzerland, which head coach Nasser Al Johar is using to fine tune his side ahead of their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying round four opener against Iran on September 6.

Four days prior to taking on Kosovo, the Saudis will meet Paraguay before playing a friendly against Italian Serie A outfit Sampdoria on August 24.

AFC