Al-Johar was first installed as coach in 2000 as a short-term measure following the sacking of the Czech Milan Macala after just one match in the Asian Cup in Lebanon.
Although Al-Johar picked the team up from a 4-1 demolition by Japan and took them to the final, he was overlooked when Santrac was selected as a long-term replacement.
But Santrac soon discovered that long-term does not mean that long.
A home draw with Bahrain and a defeat against in Iran in the final round of World Cup qualifying saw him dismissed in August.
Al Johar returned as coach and put the team back on track, despite the absence of Asian Player of the Year Nawaf Al Temyat, who missed the qualifying matches because of a serious knee injury.
Wins against Iraq and Thailand as well as a 4-1 hammering of Bahrain seemed to put the Saudis in pole position for qualification.