For the best part of three decades Saudi Arabia were the powerhouses of Asian Football.

The Green Falcons, as they are known, qualified for the World Cup four times in succession between 1994 and 2006.

Saudi midfielder Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri breaks free of Socceroo Aaron Mooy in the Jeddah qualilfying leg in October. Credit:Getty Images

Their best performance came on the first occasion when they made the round of 16, 12 years before Australia's achievement in Germany.

The Saudis lost at that stage 3-1 to Sweden, who went on to finish third in that tournament in the USA.