Top scorer omitted: Al-Hilal dominate Saudi U21 squad for Asian Games

Mohammed Al-Issa, the top scorer of the Saudi U21 league (JOI League) with 5 goals in just 2 rounds, has been omitted from the 23-man Saudi U21 squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal, the league leaders, contribute 4 players. Al-Issa's absence raises big questions about coach Luigi Di Biagio's selection criteria. Is a striker in the best form of the league not worthy of a place? Or are there deeper tactical reasons we haven't seen? This article will analyze the squad list, compare it with scoring records, and offer a contrarian view on this controversial decision. The Asian Games run from 14 September to 3 October in Nagoya, Japan. Saudi Arabia U21 are in Group 4 alongside Qatar and South Korea, two strong opponents. Italian coach Luigi Di Biagio, who previously led Italy's youth teams, has announced the final squad. Notably, the list includes many players from top clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad, but omits the league's leading scorer. The JOI League, Saudi Arabia's top U21 competition, is witnessing fierce competition. Al-Issa, a striker for Al-Ettifaq, scored 5 goals in the first 2 matches, an impressive rate. However, Di Biagio preferred other players. This suggests he has a specific tactical plan, possibly not requiring a pure target man. This context is crucial to understanding his decision. Analyzing the squad, we see Al-Hilal have 4 players: Mishal Al-Daoud, Saad Al-Mutairi, Sabri Dahl, and Turki Al-Ghamil. Al-Nassr have 3: Awad Aman, Bassam Hazazi, and Saad Haqawi. Al-Ittihad have 2: Mohammed Barnawi and Farha Al-Shamrani. Al-Qadsiah also have 2: Ammar Al-Yuhaibi and Iyad Housa. Al-Ahli have only 1: Ziyad Malla, who scored 4 goals, second in the scoring charts, level with Al-Fateh's Jefferson Ramos. But Al-Issa, with 5 goals, is absent. This contradicts conventional logic: a striker in hot form is usually prioritized. Perhaps Di Biagio favors players with pressing ability, or those familiar with his tactics. Based on my experience watching matches, I've noticed that Italian coaches often value tactical balance over pure goal-scoring. Al-Issa may not fit the high-pressing system Di Biagio wants. Additionally, Al-Hilal's 4 players show the club's strength in youth football, and the coach may want to exploit the understanding among club teammates. Look at the list: there are many wingers and central midfielders, but few out-and-out strikers. This suggests Di Biagio might use a formation without a fixed striker, or a false nine. Ziyad Malla, despite scoring 4, is a winger, better suited to a wide role. Al-Issa, with his classic target-man style, may not meet the pressing demands. Moreover, opponents Qatar and South Korea have solid defenses. A target man could be isolated without support. So choosing more flexible players is logical. Also, consider fitness and injuries. Al-Issa might have fitness issues or failed tests. Goal data doesn't reflect these factors. In modern football, coaches rely on movement data, distance covered, successful presses, etc. Al-Issa might have high goal numbers but poor other metrics. This explains his exclusion. We should also look at positional distribution. The squad has 2 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 8 midfielders, and 6 forwards. Among the 6 forwards are Ziyad Malla, Farha Al-Shamrani, Ammar Al-Yuhaibi, etc. They are all capable of playing wide or dropping deep. There is no target man. This shows Di Biagio wants a mobile attack without a fixed reference point. Al-Issa, with his height and build, may not fit this style. So the coach's decision has clear tactical grounds. Many will argue that omitting Al-Issa is a mistake, but I see it differently. Goal data is only part of the picture. In modern football, a striker must not only score but also press, move intelligently, and help defend. Al-Issa might have high goal numbers but be weak in other areas. Di Biagio, with his experience in Italian youth teams, may have made a more comprehensive assessment. Furthermore, opponents Qatar and South Korea play disciplined football, requiring strict tactical adherence. A striker who only scores without defending could be a liability. So this decision might be a tactical calculation, not an injustice. When the model fails, data starts telling the truth. Perhaps Al-Issa's goal-scoring model doesn't reflect his true value in Di Biagio's system. I believe in variance more than in champions. Fluctuations in form could make Al-Issa inconsistent. The coach may prefer players with higher consistency, even if they score fewer goals. This is a counterintuitive view, but in top-level football, victory comes not from outstanding individuals but from a smoothly functioning collective. The opening match against Qatar on 18 September will be the first test of Di Biagio's decision. If Saudi U21 play well and win, the controversy will subside. Conversely, if the attack struggles, questions about Al-Issa will resurface. Data doesn't get emotional, but it remembers everything the press forgets. Let's wait and see.