JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia came from behind to defeat Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday and take a giant step toward the 2026 World Cup finals.
Two goals from Firas Al-Buraikan and a fine strike from his Al-Ahli team-mate, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, at their home ground in Jeddah means a victory over Iraq on Tuesday will ensure Herve Renard’s men make their seventh appearance at the World Cup finals, and even a point might be enough to book their tickets to North America.
This opening game of the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers began, and would end, as a tense affair. The crowd at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, which is hosting all three Group B games, was silenced, aside from a small pocket of away fans, when Indonesia took the lead in the 11th minute.
After a cross into a crowded area was adjudged to have been handled by Hassan Tambakti, Kevin Diks stepped up to take the spot kick and found the bottom corner of the net despite the best efforts of Nawaf Al-Aqidi.
Given that the Saudis scored only seven goals across all 10 games in the third round of qualifiers, there was plenty of apprehension among the home crowd, but just six minutes later the hosts equalized and did so in style.
Musab Al-Juwayr flicked a pass to Al-Shamat, who turned inside a defender just outside the area and then fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the goal past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Ten minutes before the break, Saudi Arabia were in front. A shirt pull in the area resulted in a penalty and Al-Buraikan stepped up to fire his team into the lead, beating Paes who saved a spot kick from Salem Al-Dawsari in the previous round.
The hosts continued to push forward in search of an all-important third goal, given that goal difference could well play a part in the final reckoning of the three-team group. It came just after the hour mark; Al-Juwayr’s shot from outside the area was palmed away by Paes but Al-Buraikan was there to hit home the rebound.
As the clock ticked down there was still time for some late drama in the form of an 89th-minute penalty call that went the way of the visitors, and Diks once again made no mistake from the spot.
Nine minutes of added time made for a tense finale for the Saudis, especially when substitute Mohammed Kanno was sent off for a second yellow, but they managed to hang on.
The Group B action continues on Saturday when Iraq will take on Indonesia, before facing Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in the final game of the round.
The group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the second-place team will face off against the runners-up in Group A over two legs, with the winner advancing to an inter-confederation play-off. Group A features Qatar and Oman, who played out a goalless draw on Wednesday, plus the UAE.
