The last of Saudi Arabia’s AFC Asian Cup successes came in 1996, when the Green Falcons won the title in Abu Dhabi following a penalty shootout victory over the hosts, the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia were heavy favourites going into the tournament, having reached the final in the last three editions and winning two of them.
The desire to make amends for the defeat in the 1992 final against Japan added to the pressure on the team. With expectations riding high, it was going to be a difficult challenge for Portuguese coach Nelo Vingada who had only taken charge of the Green Falcons two months prior to the tournament opener.
Without having ever coached outside his home country, Vingada had a lot to prove in a very short period of time. However, if anyone had any doubts about the quality of this Saudi team, the performance in their opening match against Thailand was enough to dispel them.
After Thai goalkeeper Wacharapong Somcit was sent off in the ninth minute, Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai went on to witness an attacking masterclass from the Saudis.
Khalid Al Temawi and Fahad Al Mehallel led the way with a brace apiece while Khaled Al Muwallad and star man Sami Al Jaber also got on the scoresheet to pile on the misery for the Thais.
Al Shabab striker Al Mehallel kept up his scoring form in the second game as well, netting the lone goal in the 26th minute to give Vingada's men the three points against Iraq.
Things were looking good for the Saudis at that point but they were brought down to earth in their third and final group game against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Goals from Ali Daei, Karim Bagheri and Khodadad Azizi handed the Saudis a 3-0 defeat, meaning that it was Iran who would take top spot in the group, edging their opponents on a head-to-head record.
Despite the defeat, the second-place finish meant that the Saudis would go through to the quarter-finals, where they were pitted against China PR in a match that would turn out to be a thrilling spectacle for the fans.
It was China who made the breakthrough, taking a 2-0 lead after just 16 minutes. As the clock ticked on in the first half, it seemed that Saudi Arabia would be knocked out of the AFC Asian Cup before the final for the first time in their history.
However, one substitution was all that it took to turn the game around. Veteran midfielder and 1988 champion Yousuf Al Thunayan came on in the 30th minute to replace defender Mohammed Al Jahani.
Within a minute, Al Thunayan scored from an acute angle to pull a goal back. Suddenly springing into life, the Saudis added a second moments later as Al Jaber equalised from close range.
Right before half-time, Al Jaber set up Al Mehallel, who went on to score his fourth goal of the tournament and give his side the lead for the first time.
Vingada had further reason to be relieved when Al Thunayan made it 4-2 midway through the second half. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Daeyea kept the Chinese strikers at bay and, despite conceding in the 89th minute, it was Saudi Arabia who would book a spot in the semi-finals with a 4-3 win.
If the win against China was exhausting, what came next was even more so. Saudi Arabia's semi-final tie was a rematch with an in-form Iranian side, who had beaten Korea Republic 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
In the end, after 120 minutes of goalless drama, the Green Falcons gained revenge for the group stage defeat by pipping their opponents 4-3 on penalties and maintaining their impressive record of reaching the final of every AFC Asian Cup they had taken part in.
All that remained was the showpiece event at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Lying in wait for the Saudis were the UAE, who were aiming to win the title in front of their home fans.
Emirati star Adnan Al Talyani had the opportunity to put his team ahead in the first half but missed with an open goal at his mercy; that was the closest either team came to scoring on the night.
While the Saudi effort to hold their fort was hit by the 83rd minute dismissal of 19-year-old defender Hussain Abdulghani, Vingada's men were able to see it through until the end of extra time.
Another penalty shootout beckoned and this time, too, lady luck favoured the Saudis. After the Emiratis missed twice, Al Muwallad stepped up to score past Muhsin Musabah and give the Green Falcons their third AFC Asian Cup title.