Saudis resume preparation for their Australia clash of the World Cup Asian qualifiers
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Tuesday's match is the final round of the third stage of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On the field, head coach Herve Renard limited the session to a recovery workout at the team's health club, involving all players following previous intensive training days.
Players Muhannad Al-Saad and Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti have started their individual rehabilitation programs under the supervision of the fitness coach working their way back to full strength.
Following the recovery session, Renard gave the squad a period of free time, with players scheduled to regroup at the team's camp later on Friday evening.
The Green Falcons will continue their training on Saturday with a closed-door session set to take place at the reserve pitch of King Abdullah Sports City at 7:00 p.m.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain 2-0 in Riffa to tee up a showdown with Australia for the second automatic spot in AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C.
Thursday's win keeps Saudi third, three points behind Australia, although with a far inferior goal difference. The Socceroos stand at second place with 16 points from nine matches, having scored 14 goals and conceded 6.
The Green Falcons have so far bagged six goals and conceded the same with 13 points in third spot. They have to win 8-0 against Australia to climb up to second place and qualify directly, otherwise they move on to the next group phase.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Press
3 hours ago
- Saudi Press
Four Clubs Advance to Teamfight Tactics Semifinals at Esports World Cup
Four Clubs Advance to Teamfight Tactics Semifinals at Esports World Cup Thursday 20/02/1447 Riyadh Voice reader
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
Four titles will be settled at Esports World Cup
RIYADH: Four competition winners will be declared after the Week 6 Championship Weekend of the Esports World Cup 2025. As the race for the Club Championship heats up, Team Liquid leads the standings. Rocket League Rocket League in Week 6 of EWC 25 could produce a winner from anywhere. The EWC 24 winners are here but split across new rosters — two are representing Team Vitality, with the other playing for Karmine Corp — and the field is open for anyone to take the title. There are other key contenders though, such as Team Falcons who, before a ball was hit, were on an 18-match win streak, making them very much the team to beat. In fact, at the past six events Team Falcons have attended, they have won each one. PUBG Battlegrounds PUBG Battlegrounds is back to round out the battle royale action in the Club Championship, and it looks likely to have an enormous impact on the overall standings. Both Team Liquid and Team Falcons, the current top two in the Club Championship, are contenders in PUBG, but after two days of action, Falcons have impressed while Liquid have underperformed. Could that end up being crucial in the Club Championship come the end of the weekend? Other contenders have shown up, with the likes of ROC Esports getting off to a great start and Twisted Minds, who also are still in with a shot at Club Championship glory, starting to heat up as we head towards the grand finals. Teamfight Tactics There has been some great action in Teamfight Tactics so far in Week 6, and it is heading for an explosive finish. Team Vitality and Twisted Minds, two teams who were considered top contenders coming into the tournament, were eliminated before the top eight, meaning they take home no Club Championship points from what should have been one of their strongest titles. However, with team Liquid and Team Falcons suffering the same fate, at least the gap to these teams has not been extended. The 2024 champions Wolves Esports have looked impressive, and are considered favorites again this year, but rivals T1, who lost in last year's final, will be looking to avenge that loss should the two teams meet again. Tekken 8 In Tekken 8, the opening day of competition rekindled some rivalries and furthered the battle for regional supremacy. With South Korea and Pakistan considered the top two countries in Tekken 8, everyone had eyes on how each region would fair early on. Impressively, six of the seven South Korean players competing on Day 1 qualified for Stage 2 of the competition, but only two of the five Pakistani players could make it through. One of those Pakistani players was Arslan Siddique, highly regarded in the scene, and one of the favorites to take the tournament, although he did have to fight through the lower bracket in his group after a loss to South Korean player Jeon Sang-hyun. Can he bounce back and finally take an EWC title or will another competitor take it from him yet again? Club Championship standings Heading into the penultimate week, the Club Championship is firming up, with four sides emerging as the most likely to take the grand prize. Team Falcons and Team Liquid continued their breakaway from the pack in Week 5, and this weekend represents a key opportunity for both clubs, with huge potential for another change at the top of the table. Neither side was able to pick up any points in Teamfight Tactics; but given that Team Liquid is competing in fewer games this week than Team Falcons, it could be a key way for them to stay ahead. Team Falcons are still competing in PUBG, Rocket League, and Tekken 8 this weekend, meaning there are many more chances for them to catch Team Liquid. In the chasing pack, there are two names to look out for — and Twisted Minds. have already secured 200 points from Teamfight Tactics, but PUBG and Rocket League will be the ones to watch, because both clubs are still involved.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Boxers Itauma and Whyte face off ahead of Riyadh heavyweight clash
RIYADH: British heavyweight boxers Moses Itauma and compatriot Dillian Whyte came face to face in Riyadh on Thursday ahead of their bout at the ANB Arena on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Whyte told his opponent: 'Good luck to you, man, and I hope we both leave the ring safe and healthy,' to which 20-year-old Itauma replied: 'Thank you.' Itauma — who has a professional record of 12 wins, 10 of them by a knockout, and no losses — said he would not underestimate Whyte, adding: 'We are all heavyweights here and any fight can end at any moment. I'm fully aware of the threat (he) poses.' The fight marks a return to the ring for 37-year-old Whyte (31-3, with 21 knockouts) after a layoff with a hand injury. The official weigh-in is on Friday. The undercard on Saturday includes a WBA world title featherweight bout between Nick Ball and Sam Goodman, and a super featherweight matchup between Ray Ford and Abraham Nova. The event is part of the wider entertainment surrounding the ongoing Esports World Cup, which continues in the Saudi capital until August 24.
