IN a group which could be decided by the finest of margins, Australia’s World Cup opponents on Thursday - Saudi Arabia - have an additional challenge to contend with, ahead of the meeting in Adelaide.

The Saudi players - in common with all Muslims - are two weeks into Ramadan, the annual “sawm” or fast, during daylight hours. The period is designed to cleanse the body, and to live like those less privileged, going without food or water from sunrise to sunset.

According to Socceroo Tarek Elrich - the Adelaide United defender who, as a Muslim, observes the fast himself - the practice could have an impact.

“The Saudis are very religious, so most of them will be fasting. That will play a big role. When you go the whole day without eating and you have to run at night, it will be hard. You don’t want to eat too much (when you break your fast) either, because your body is cleansing. Some people do it wrong - they eat, eat, eat, and then fast. Some actually eat more during Ramadan,” says Elrich, who is currently recovering from knee surgery.

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Saudi Arabia’s Waleed Abdullah (R) after landing in Adelaide. Source: News Corp Australia

The Saudi squad are training at night to work around the restrictions - and Elrich says not all players will necessarily stick to the fasting regime.

“If Ramadan affects your livelihood - football is an example - and particularly as it is a big game, then there is an exception made if you break your fast. There are other exceptions too - if you’re ill, or if you are a woman and are pregnant,” says Elrich.

“But if you break the fast, you have to give more to charity, or practice the Quran a bit more. You also have to make it up later, for the days you have missed,” he adds.

Oddly, being in an Australian winter, rather than a Gulf summer, may even be of assistance to the Green Falcons, who sit three points above the Australians in the Group B table with just three games to play.

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Nasser Alshmrani (L) takes a photo with a fan. Source: News Corp Australia

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“Right now in Australia its easier, because the days are short. In some European countries, the sun is only setting for four or five hours so it’s tough. We follow the Islamic calendar, so the timing of Ramadan changes every year. I remember when I was doing my HSC, it was summer time - that was really hard. It’s long and hot days in Saudi at the moment, so they won’t break their fast until 9pm, and then daylight starts again around 4am,” says Elrich.

But Muslim footballers the world over are used to balancing their careers and their faith during the period. Some take advantage of the “career exemptions” Elrich talked about - including Mesut Ozil, who delayed his fast to compete for Germany in the European Championships last year.

But Ozil’s journey to France was relatively easy in comparison to the Saudis.

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil (L) with the FA Cup. Source: AP

They have had a 16-hour flight (albeit via private jet), and have to adjust to being in a different time zone in Australia - with the additional challenge of also having to pray before sunrise, which means being awake before 5.30am.

All in all, it’s a major juggling exercise for their Dutch coach, Bert Van Marwijk.

“I’m sure Ange has set meal times - but the Saudis will have to do it differently. They will be up at 5am - perhaps they will have pasta, bread, a proper meal at that time. Then, it’ll be about staying up as long as they can, then sleeping as much as they can. On game day, they will probably eat at 5.10pm in Adelaide (when the sun sets), ripping into the dates & bananas, which are good for the digestive system,” says Elrich.

“That gives them a good couple of hours before kick-off. I’m sure it drives their coach nuts, but he’ll understand. They’ve been doing this for a long time, and these countries are smart. During the game, they’ll be taking every drinks break they can, and they’ll be down on the pitch every five minutes while their teammates snack on dates. They will have a game plan,” he adds.