IN the aftermath of Saudi Arabia’s 5-0 loss to Russia in the opening game of the 2018 World Cup, the Kingdom must not let the defeat shake their confidence as they prepare for their upcoming group matches against Uruguay and Egypt.

While the margin of Russia’s victory was great, playing in the inaugural match was never going to be easy for Saudi Arabia. It was the first match of the biggest single sports event in the world. It was the only match of the day, meaning the eyes of the world were transfixed on that one match as opposed to the three match-a-day format once the World Cup begins in earnest. Three billion people watching on TV this one game would put enormous pressure on both teams, but especially the guests. And it was being played on Russian territory, in front of 80,000 mostly Russian fans in Luzhniki Stadium. History was also not in favor of the Saudi team; a host country has never lost the opener of a World Cup.

The final score could also have been closer. Denis Cheryshev’s fourth goal smash from a tight angle usually never goes in while goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf could have done better with Aleksandr Golovin’s free-kick.

Russia went into the match ranked 70th in the world, actually three places below Saudi Arabia. That makes the teams just about equal, which makes the result all the more surprising, not least to the Russian players and their supporters. If the two teams played each other 10 times, a similar score would never be repeated. Just like when Germany destroyed Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals in Rio in 2014, history would never repeat itself like that again. And it wasn’t for lack of quality on the Brazilian team that resulted in their demolition. It just wasn’t Brazil’s day.

Did Russia play that well or was Saudi Arabia simply not that good? Without taking anything away from Russia which showed composure in front of goal and physicality, Saudi Arabia were too obliging to their opponents as they gave the hosts freedom in possession and, crucially, the opposition box. They made Russia’s aging and inexperienced players, who could not win any one of their seven friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup, seem much better than what they really are. Saudi Arabia’s defense was leaky throughout and their forwards not make the most of the few chances they had. They must work on this because goal-scoring opportunities do not come easy in a World Cup. And even though the Kingdom had a remarkable 61 percent of possession, such control of the game was not used well enough.

The result leaves Juan Antonio Pizzi's Saudi Arabia with a huge task in front of them. They will need to show a vast improvement if they are to go through to the second round. They still must face Uruguay featuring Europe’s top attacking players like Barcelona’s Luis Saurez and PSG’s Edison Cavani. They then will meet up with Egypt and its talisman Mohamed Salah. But there is still a chance. This is Saudi Arabia’s fifth World Cup tournament which gives them historical experience. It is also the fifth in which they have failed to win their opening match but that did not stop them from going to the knockout stage in 1994. That year, the initial 2-1 loss to Holland did not deter them from later beating Belgium and Morocco for a last 16 appearance.

On the way to this World Cup, the Kingdom suffered narrow recent defeats against powerhouses Italy and Germany. Those friendlies, even in defeat, showed that Saudi Arabia can play football. If the Saudi players are able to put the Russian game behind them, but not forget it too much and learn from their mistakes, the chance to redeem themselves is still alive.