PTI
  
New Delhi, Aug 3: Several stars who did duty for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup in Germany would be in action when the team from the desert kingdom takes on India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Kolkata on August 16.

Players like defenders Hamad al Montashari, Hussein Sulimani, goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid, and forward Yasser al Kahtani would take the field in a match which would surely be a daunting assignment for India under English coach Bob Houghton.

The Saudi contingent, consisting 47 players and officials, will arrive in Kolkata by a charter flight on August 13. The team's Brazilian coach Marcos Pacqueta has already spelt out his goal of taking Saudi Arabia back into the top 50 of the FIFA world rankings after a disappointing World Cup campaign where they went out in the opening round after two losses and a draw.

The team suffered a huge fall in rankings after Germany 2006 going from 34th to number 81 in the standings and the coach would not encourage any complacency against India, which is expected to be overwhelmed by the Asian powerhouse.

Pacqueta also wants to make his team the highest ranked in the continent, a honour currently enjoyed by Australia, placed at number 33 on the latest FIFA charts.

Saudi Arabia is currently camping at Abha while the Indians have started a preparatory camp at the match venue itself.