The Gambia Scorpions, last night, lost 0-3 to the Sons of the Desert of Saudi Arabia in an international football friendly match played in the Saudi city of Dammam.

The absence of numerous key players, like the influential Jatto Ceesay, Edrissa Sonko, Seyfo Soley, Mustapha Jarju and Assan Jatta in the Scorpions camp undoubtedly reflected in last night’s scoreline.

German coach Antoine Hey fielded the likes of Aziz Corr Nyang, Ebou Sillah, Pa Saikou Kujabi before slipping to the three-time Asian Cup champions, who scored two goals in the first half before sealing the match at 3-0, with an early second-half brace.

Last friendly match was an important test for the Scorpions who will resume the Nations Cup qualifiers with a home match against Guinea in March 2007 in Banjul. The Gambian side will use the Asian trip to cement fruitful relations with the Saudi Football Association for the development of football in the country.

Equally, the Asians also needed the match as they prepare to take part in the Gulf Cup Championship which starts in the United Arab Emirates later this month.