
Saudi Arabia face uphill task against Australia in World Cup qualifier
Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia must deliver a miracle on Tuesday if they are to secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, needing to beat Australia by at least five goals in their final Group C fixture of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26.
Herve Renard's men kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Bahrain last week, moving to 13 points — three behind second-placed Australia.
But with a goal difference heavily in the Socceroos' favor, only a lopsided victory will be enough to leapfrog them in the standings.
'The door is almost closed, but we must try and qualify,' Renard said after the Bahrain match. 'We have to score goals. Everything must go very well for us if we are to qualify.'
Saudi Arabia's biggest challenge remains their scoring inefficiency. They've managed just six goals across nine qualifiers, while Australia have netted 14 and conceded six in the same stretch.
Australia, under new coach Tony Popovic, only need to avoid a five-goal defeat to book their seventh straight World Cup appearance. Popovic replaced Graham Arnold in September after a poor start to the campaign and has since overseen a dramatic turnaround.
'We're in a great position, but we need to finish it off,' Popovic said. 'It's been a really intense period, but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do.'
Group leaders Japan have already secured top spot. If Saudi Arabia fail to pull off the required win, they will join the likes of UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Indonesia in the next round of qualifiers in October, where two additional spots for Asia will be contested.
The Saudis now face their most daunting test yet. Only a performance of historic proportions against Australia in Jeddah will keep their direct World Cup dreams alive.
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Arab News
an hour ago
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Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard confident ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia
JEDDAH: On the eve of Saudi Arabia's crucial closing match against Australia in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers, head coach Herve Renard expressed confidence in the readiness of his squad and stressed the importance of victory, despite the heavy odds against securing automatic qualification for the finals in North America next year. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Speaking during the prematch press conference at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Monday, alongside striker Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Renard said: 'We are in third place, and while 99 percent believe we are headed to the play-offs, we still have a chance (of automatic qualification). 'We have nothing to lose and are doing everything we can to make our fans happy. The most important thing for us is to win. 'We're excited for this match. Some think we're already in the play-offs but we still have hope. It's very important to win (on Tuesday).' Australia, led by coach Tony Popovic, sit in second place in Group C on 16 points, three ahead of the Saudis, and their superior goal difference means they need only avoid a five-goal defeat to confirm their seventh-consecutive appearance at the World Cup. Japan top the group and have already secured qualification. Saudi Arabia and fourth-place Indonesia are guaranteed places in the play-offs, in which six teams will fight it out for the last three qualification spots. Renard emphasized the need for focus and preparation ahead of Tuesday's game. 'We have to approach the Australia game like any other, showing determination and being fully prepared,' he said. 'I'll do my best to select the best 11 players and the most effective approach heading into the match.' The Green Falcons take on Australia at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, and fans were invited to take up the offer of free entry to the match.


Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia face uphill task against Australia in World Cup qualifier
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia must deliver a miracle on Tuesday if they are to secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, needing to beat Australia by at least five goals in their final Group C fixture of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26. Herve Renard's men kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Bahrain last week, moving to 13 points — three behind second-placed Australia. But with a goal difference heavily in the Socceroos' favor, only a lopsided victory will be enough to leapfrog them in the standings. 'The door is almost closed, but we must try and qualify,' Renard said after the Bahrain match. 'We have to score goals. Everything must go very well for us if we are to qualify.' Saudi Arabia's biggest challenge remains their scoring inefficiency. They've managed just six goals across nine qualifiers, while Australia have netted 14 and conceded six in the same stretch. Australia, under new coach Tony Popovic, only need to avoid a five-goal defeat to book their seventh straight World Cup appearance. Popovic replaced Graham Arnold in September after a poor start to the campaign and has since overseen a dramatic turnaround. 'We're in a great position, but we need to finish it off,' Popovic said. 'It's been a really intense period, but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do.' Group leaders Japan have already secured top spot. If Saudi Arabia fail to pull off the required win, they will join the likes of UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Indonesia in the next round of qualifiers in October, where two additional spots for Asia will be contested. The Saudis now face their most daunting test yet. Only a performance of historic proportions against Australia in Jeddah will keep their direct World Cup dreams alive.


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a day ago
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