A goal for Saudi Arabia was canceled in the fatal moments, and they returned with a goalless draw against Australia on Thursday, in Melbourne, but they are still without a win in the last three matches in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in football.
The result was not suitable for both parties, as they raised their score to six points from five matches in the third group, from which the leader and runner-up qualify directly to the finals (they can also qualify from the fourth and fifth rounds), four points ahead of Japan, which defeats Indonesia on Friday.
Bahrain will have the opportunity (5 points) to be alone in second place if it wins over China, which is at the bottom of the standings.
Saudi Arabia failed to achieve victory in the last two matches, against Japan 0-2 and then Bahrain 0-0, and failed again to achieve its first victory in Australia.
The Green Falcons were led by French coach Herve Renard, who returned to the Green squad instead of Italian Roberto Mancini, who was dismissed due to poor results.
Saudi Arabia played without its injured attacking star, Salem Al-Dosari, in addition to veteran Salman Al-Faraj, midfielder Abdul-Ilah Al-Maliki, and defender Abdul-Ilah Al-Omari, and the absence of Fahd Al-Mawlid, who was involved in a serious accident after falling from the balcony of his house in Dubai, continues.
Striker Saleh Al-Shehri said, “We came here for the three points. Unfortunately, we were denied a goal in the last moments.”
He continued, “I think it is not the worst result. We got a point outside our field, and in the end this is positive.”
Regarding the change in style after the return of coach Renard, he added, “Yes, frankly, there have been big differences since his first day. This matter appeared on the field, and we returned to applying our style.”
The start was promising for Saudi Arabia, which had 60% possession of the ball in the first half, but needed focus and harmony in the final third.
In the 12th minute, contrary to the course of the game, Saudi goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar came out of his goal and headbutted Mitchell Duke, so Australia received a free kick from the edge of the area that reached Harry Souttar, who shot it from close range over the crossbar.
In the most prominent opportunity for the visitors, Nasser Al-Dosari shot from a closed corner with his left, but goalkeeper Joe Gauci cleared it for a corner (27).
Marwan, a professional journalist in Belgium, missed the opportunity to score alone for Saudi Arabia, before the referee raised the offside flag (45+3).
In the second half, Australia improved, and Roma’s Italian full-back and one of the best players in the match, Saud Abdul Hamid, saved Saudi Arabia from a certain goal. He snatched the ball from Riley Magri, who was about to shoot into the empty goal, after a quick one-on-one from substitute Brandon Borello (84).
In the fatal hour, substitute Sultan Al-Ghannam scored with a low shot from the edge of the area that hit the net, before the referee raised the offside flag and the video assistant referee confirmed the disallowance of the goal (90+2).
The Al-Nasr player was deprived of his first international goal, as his shot passed between the feet of his fellow defender Ali Al-Bulaihi on its way to the net.
Seconds later, Magri almost killed the match with a wonderful overhead kick, which passed very close to the Saudi goal (90+6).
Australia coach Tony Popovic said, “We had some chances, but we have to give credit to the opponent. We did not play well in the first half.”
He continued, “We were not very good with the ball, while they had energy and agility.” “We improved in the second half, and that is a good thing.”
Australia has participated without interruption in the World Cup since 2006, while Saudi Arabia is looking to reach the finals for the seventh time, most notably the first in 1994 when it reached the second round.
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