Saudi Arabia ready for World Cup ‘tough fight’ after draw in Japan
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Japan forward Daizen Maeda and Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf al Aqidi going for the ball during their World Cup qualifier in Saitama.
PHOTO: AFP
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SAITAMA – Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said “everything can happen”, after a 0-0 draw with already qualified Japan on March 25 kept his team’s hopes of an automatic 2026 World Cup place alive.
The Saudis came under intense pressure from an attack-minded Japan in Saitama, but escaped with a point to stay in touch with Australia in the battle for second place in Asian qualifying third round Group C.
Australia beat China 2-0 and are three points ahead of the Saudis with two games remaining.
In Group B, South Korea’s struggles on home soil continued, as Hong Myung-bo’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Jordan in Suwon.
The top two teams from each group qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with those placing third and fourth going into another qualifying round.
Saudi Arabia host Australia in their final qualifier in June and Renard said his side were still in the mix for a direct berth.
“There are still two games, everything can happen,” said the Frenchman. “We have to go to Bahrain, Australia will receive Japan and we will receive Australia in the last game.
“It’s a tough fight. We just have to think about the four points we got during these two games and we look to be better offensively for the last two games.”
Renard, who led the Saudis to a famous 2-1 victory over eventual winners Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, returned for a second stint in October 2024 when Roberto Mancini was fired.
Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup when they beat Bahrain 2-0 last week and are guaranteed to win Group C.
Celtic striker Daizen Maeda hit the post with an early chance, but the Samurai Blue were unable to turn possession into chances.
“We qualified for the World Cup but there was no drop-off from the players going into the game,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
“We controlled the game, we were focused and we didn’t let them hit us on the counter. The players did very well mentally and tactically.”
Maeda was one of six changes to Japan’s starting line-up from the win over Bahrain, with winger Kaoru Mitoma, striker Ayase Ueda and midfielder Hidemasa Morita all ruled out with injury.
The Saudis were also missing players but Renard praised his defence for the way they coped with a Japan side that has scored 24 goals in eight qualifiers.
“When you are coming to Japan you can’t come to be very open, you need to be careful because it’s a very good team,” he said. “I think the plan was good defensively. Offensively, we didn’t do well.”
Indonesia also kept alive their hopes of qualifying with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in Jakarta, courtesy of Ole Romeny’s 24th-minute goal.
Patrick Kluivert’s side moved into fourth spot, just one point behind the Saudis, with games against China and Japan to come in June.
In Hangzhou, Australia made it six points out of six against hosts China as goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay earned them another victory after last week’s 5-1 win over Indonesia.
Irvine put his side in front after 16 minutes when he stepped inside onto his left foot to fire into the bottom corner beyond Wang Dalei.
The Shandong Taishan goalkeeper was to blame for the visitors’ second 13 minutes later, fumbling Velupillay’s bobbling shot from the edge of the penalty area over his own line.
“We came with a top mentality into this camp and we knew what was at stake, two massive games for us,” said Irvine. “It’s been a massive team effort to get these two results.”
In Suwon, there was more frustration as the South Koreans drew at home for the third time in this phase of qualifying.
With two games left, they still top Group B with a three-point cushion over Jordan, but Iraq could slash their advantage to just one point if they beat Palestine in a match that kicked off after press time.
Lee Jae-sung put the hosts in front after five minutes when he rushed into the six-yard box to push Son Heung-min’s corner over the line, but Jordan were level by the half-hour mark.
Mousa Al-Tamari saw his initial shot saved by Jo Hyeon-woo but the rebound looped up towards Mahmoud Al-Mardi and his strike was deflected past the goalkeeper off the back of Korean defender Kwon Kyung-won. AFP, REUTERS
