Asian Cup 2015: Saudi Arabia star Nasser Al-Shamrani all smiles on arrival in Australia
TEMPERENTAL Saudi Arabia star Nasser Al-Shamrani was in a happy mood as he arrived in Brisbane ahead of the Asian Cup clash against China.
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TEMPERENTAL Saudi Arabia star Nasser Al-Shamrani was in a happy and helpful mood on Monday as he arrived in Brisbane ahead of the Green Falcons’ Asian Cup clash against China at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Al-Shamrani has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.
He was suspended for eight AFC Champions League matches for headbutting and spitting after clashing with Western Sydney and Socceroos defender Matthew Spiranovic after the second leg of the 2014 tournament decider between Al-Hilal and the Wanderers in November.
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The 31-year-old striker also didn’t endear himself to his own fans by shoving a Saudi supporter before last Tuesday’s friendly with Bahrain in Geelong.
But the recently-crowned Asian Football Confederation player of the year was full of smiles as his team was officially welcomed to Brisbane, despite attempts by Saudi officials to shield him from the media.
Al-Shamrani even came to the aid of a News Corp Australia staffer, picking up a camera lens off the ground and handing it back to the grateful photographer.
A Saudi official said Al-Shamrani was in good spirits despite the scrutiny on him.
He said that supporter who was pushed had apologised to Al-Shamrani after Bahrain’s 4-1 win over Saudi Arabia for making the comments that led to the player’s hostile reaction.
It’s understood that Al-Shamrani reacted after being called something in Arabic that roughly translates to a “loser”.
Al-Shamrani also played in Saudi Arabia’s 2-0 friendly loss to South Korea at Pirtek Stadium on Sunday night.
Despite the recent defeats, the Saudi official said the Green Falcons were confident of beating China in Saturday’s Group B clash.
The Chinese team arrives in Brisbane on Tuesday.
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