JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia were held to a 0-0 draw by Bahrain in Jeddah on Tuesday in another disappointing performance and result in the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
A first half missed penalty from Salem Al-Dawsari, his second in four games in Group C, proved costly and meant that the Green Falcons failed to climb above Australia into second.
Earlier, the Socceroos had drawn 1-1 with leaders Japan in Saitama, to move on to five points, one above Saudi Arabia and five behind the Samurai Blue.
It gave Roberto Mancini’s men a chance to move two points above Australia into second ahead of their meeting in Melbourne next month but, one point from two home games in Jeddah in the space of five days will only increase the pressure on the Italian.
The team are one of three on five points, below Australia and above Bahrain on goal difference. Indonesia and China have three each. Only the top two from each of the three groups are guaranteed a World Cup spot.
This was another plodding performance, albeit against a well-organised, hard-working and physically strong opponent, with few moments of quality and few chances even with the almost 25 minutes of time added on.
Saudi Arabia started brightly, however, with Firas Al-Buraikan forcing an early save from Ebrahim Lutfalla after some smart attacking interplay but there was a bigger chance before long.
There was a lengthy VAR delay in the 13th minute as Marwan Al-Sahafi went down in the area under a challenge from Abdulla Al-Khalasi. After almost three minutes the referee, who had originally not pointed to the spot, went to the pitchside monitor and,almost inevitably, changed his decision. It looked like the right one and it gave Al-Dawsari the opportunity to settle the nerves at the King Abdullah Sports City and banish memories of his miss against Indonesia in the opening game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
The 2022 Asian Player of the Year also had to take his time and it was almost six minutes after the initial foul when he took the kick and perhaps that wait did not help. It was not the best of penalties and Lutfalla stood his ground and then made a diving save to his left. The feeling of the energy leaving the stadium was palpable.
It took the hosts some time to get going again and they could even have been behind at the break. Bahrain’s best chance in the first half came in the seventh minute of added time as Al-Khalasi almost redeemed himself for giving away the penalty but, from the left corner of the area, his low shot was well-blocked by Ahmed Al-Kassar. The goalkeeper was in action moments later, flying through the air to push away a ball that had come off the head of Al-Buraikan.
The Green Falcons had some half-chances early in the second half and had a rare opportunity with 11 minutes remaining. Abdulla Radif ran into the area and made space for himself only to shoot tamely into the arms of the grateful Lutfalla.
Bahrain had to work even harder after 87 minutes when they were reduced to ten men. The visitors had used all their substitutes when Sayed Hashim Isa went off injured.
With the 11 minutes added time, there was hope for Saudi Arabia especially as Al-Dawsari went down in the area under a challenge from the goalkeeper. The referee was not interested in a penalty and, this time, neither was VAR. In the 101st minute, Musab Al-Juwayr sent an enticing low pass across the six yard box but there was nobody able to connect to win the game.
That was that and there was only one team celebrating at the final whistle and it wasn’t Saudi Arabia. There is a lot of work to do.