Late drama as Saudi Arabia hold Australia in World Cup qualifier

MELBOURNE – Saudi Arabia had a goal disallowed in stoppage time as they ground out a 0-0 draw against Australia on Nov 14, a result that did neither side any favours in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite several chances in front of a sold-out Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, the breakthrough both teams desperately needed never came.

The Saudis and their new French coach Herve Renard thought they had won it in the 93rd minute when Sultan Al-Ghannam rifled home from just inside the box. But the flag went up, with one of his teammates offside.

“We have to give confidence to the referee. I have to see it once again to be sure that they made the best decision. So I will not comment about this,” Renard said.

“It was, for us, a difficult game but congratulations to everybody (on the team). We managed to get one point. We are in the middle of this group. Everything is still open.”

Both teams now have six points, level with China, who beat Bahrain 1-0, from five games as the third round of the Asian qualifiers reached its halfway mark. The stalemate played into the hands of Group C leaders Japan, who can stretch their four-point lead further when they meet Indonesia in Jakarta on Nov 15.

Just the top two seal their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America, with the third- and fourth-placed sides forced into another round of qualifiers.

Australia must now pick themselves up for a difficult trip to Bahrain on Nov 19, while Saudi Arabia travel to Indonesia.

Australia coach Tony Popovic made just one change from the team that drew 1-1 with Japan in Saitama in October, with Standard Liege midfielder Aiden O’Neill in for Luke Brattan.

In contrast, Renard, who returned for a second stint on Oct 26 in place of Roberto Mancini, swung the axe with just four survivors from their last match – a goal-less draw with Bahrain.

Both sides started at a frenetic pace, with the Saudis pressing forward, but unable to find a breakthrough.

In a big moment on 12 minutes, the referee awarded Australia a penalty after Mitch Duke clashed heads with goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar, who came out to clear the ball. But the video assistant referee flagged that the infringement was outside the box.

The first decent effort did not come until the 27th minute, when Saudi midfielder Nasser Al-Dawsari whipped in a shot from a tight angle, but goalkeeper Joe Gauci saved at the near post.

Gauci made another crucial stop on the cusp of half-time, denying Firas Al-Buraikan in a one-on-one situation.

Australia had the brighter second half, creating far more chances, with Riley McGee and Duke curling in shots that were blocked.

The Socceroos had a glorious chance with seven minutes left when substitute Brandon Borrello beat the offside trap. But, instead of shooting with just the goalkeeper to beat, he opted to pass and the opportunity was wasted before the last-minute drama with the disallowed goal.

“I think when you look at the chances, we had some good opportunities,” Popovic said. “But we have to give our opponent credit... They looked sharp and energetic. And we struggled a little in the first half and improved significantly in the second half, which was good. We had good opportunities. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take them.

“So, overall, it’s a point. We move forward. But certainly we can improve.”

In Group B, captain Son Heung-min netted a penalty to help South Korea consolidate top spot with a 3-1 away win over bottom side Kuwait. AFP, REUTERS