Latest news with #MitchellDuke
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia miss World Cup spot after Australia defeat, head to Asian playoff
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia's hopes of direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end on Tuesday night after a 2-1 home defeat to Australia at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The result left the Green Falcons third in Group C with 13 points, sending them to the Asian playoff round. Herve Renard's side needed a near-impossible five-goal win to leapfrog Australia in the standings and claim the group's second automatic qualification spot. Despite taking an early lead through Abdulrahman Al Obod in the 19th minute, goals from Connor Metcalfe (42') and Mitchell Duke (49') sealed the win — and World Cup ticket — for the Socceroos, who now join Japan, Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Jordan as Asia's six confirmed representatives at the 2026 finals. The loss marks another frustrating chapter for Saudi Arabia, who will now compete in the fourth-round playoff alongside other third- and fourth-place finishers from the qualifying groups. Six teams will be split into two groups of three, with only the group winners advancing to the World Cup. The runners-up will face off in a playoff for a chance to reach the intercontinental playoff. Al Obod gave Saudi Arabia hope with his close-range finish after a setup by Salem Al-Dawsari and Firas Al-Buraikan. The home crowd erupted, but the momentum was short-lived. Australia equalized before the break, as Duke's pass found Metcalfe unmarked in the box. The midfielder took a touch before powering the ball past goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi. Just after halftime, Duke struck again, this time heading in from a set-piece to complete the comeback. Saudi Arabia's frustration grew when VAR overturned a red card shown to Australia's Mitchell Duke and later awarded a penalty to the hosts after Al-Dawsari was fouled. But Al-Dawsari's spot-kick was saved, and substitute Marwan Al-Sahafi missed the rebound, firing wide from close range. The Green Falcons finished the campaign with just 13 points and six goals in 10 matches — a statistic that reflects their attacking struggles throughout the qualifiers. Australia, meanwhile, secured their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance and became the 11th team to qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament, joining co-hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico, along with Argentina, New Zealand, and five other Asian teams. The AFC playoff draw is set for July 17, with Saudi Arabia expected to be one of the top seeds. Despite the setback, Renard's men still have a path to North America — but it just got much longer.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Australia seal sixth straight FIFA World Cup spot with 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia
Australia clinched their sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance with a 2-1 victory against Saudi Arabia, highlighted by goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke. Despite an early setback, the Socceroos demonstrated resilience, securing direct qualification for the 2026 tournament. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan's outstanding performance, including a penalty save, solidified Australia's place among Asia's qualified teams. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Australia booked their sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup berth with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia. Goals from debutant Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke ensured the Socceroos ' qualification, continuing their impressive World Cup an opening goal by Abdulrahman Al Oboud in the 19th minute for Saudi Arabia, Australia held firm to secure their spot on football's biggest Socceroos, who only needed to avoid a five-goal loss to secure direct qualification for the 2026 tournament, showed resilience after falling behind. Metcalfe levelled the score with a left-footed strike just before the interval, followed by Duke's header in the 48th his 100th international appearance, Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan delivered a stellar performance with five crucial saves, including stopping a late direct qualification brings welcome relief to the Socceroos, who had previously needed to navigate through playoffs for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.'We've done the first part — qualifying automatically,' Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said. 'Now the next part is to be bigger and better for the World Cup.''We've built a good foundation now (but) we want to get better, kick on and try and do something special in the World Cup," he secures its spot alongside Japan, Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Jordan for the expanded 48-team competition in 2026 across the United States, Canada and remaining two automatic Asian qualification spots will be determined among six nations in October. The contending teams include Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
World Cup 2026: Australia qualifies; Saudi Arabia must wait
Australia qualified for its sixth straight World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos, needing just to avoid defeat by five goals to advance to the 2026 tournament, came from behind with goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke to win after Abdulrahman Al Oboud had put the hosts ahead after 19 minutes. In Asia's third round of qualification, the top two from each of the three groups of six progress automatically to next summer's World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan and South Korea have also qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Earlier, Japan and South Korea ended successful campaigns on a high with emphatic home victories over Indonesia and Kuwait, respectively. In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes to set Japan, preparing for an eighth consecutive World Cup, on its way to a 6-0 victory. Takefusa Kubo added a second five minutes later and Kamada extended the lead just before the break. Soon after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino piled on and Mao Hosoya made it six. South Korea, which has qualified for an 11th straight World Cup, sealed the top spot in Group B after beating Kuwait 4-0. Jeon Jin-woo scored after 33 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in added a second soon after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also got on the scoresheet. The six teams that finish third and fourth advance to another stage to play for Asia's two remaining automatic places. Oman took the last remaining place with a 1-1 draw against the Palestinian team and join Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia in the fourth round, which will take place in October. Reporting by The Associated Press. recommended Get more from FIFA Men's World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Australia qualifies for 2026 World Cup with 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Australia qualified for its sixth straight World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos, needing just to avoid defeat by five goals to advance to the 2026 tournament, came from behind with goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke to win after Abdulrahman Al Oboud had put the hosts ahead after 19 minutes. Earlier, Japan and South Korea ended successful campaigns on a high with emphatic home victories over Indonesia and Kuwait, respectively. In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes to set Japan, preparing for an eighth consecutive World Cup, on its way to a 6-0 victory. Takefusa Kubo added a second five minutes later and Kamada extended the lead just before the break. Soon after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino piled on and Mao Hosoya made it six. In Asia's third round of qualification, the top two from each of the three groups of six progress automatically to next summer's World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan and South Korea have also qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. South Korea, which has qualified for an 11th straight World Cup, sealed the top spot in Group B after beating Kuwait 4-0. Jeon Jin-woo scored after 33 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in added a second soon after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also got on the scoresheet. The six teams that finish third and fourth advance to another stage to play for Asia's two remaining automatic places. Oman took the last remaining place with a 1-1 draw against the Palestinian team and join Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia in the fourth round, which will take place in October. ___ AP soccer:
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Australia qualifies for 2026 World Cup with 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia
Associated Press JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Australia qualified for its sixth straight World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos, needing just to avoid defeat by five goals to advance to the 2026 tournament, came from behind with goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke to win after Abdulrahman Al Oboud had put the hosts ahead after 19 minutes. Earlier, Japan and South Korea ended successful campaigns on a high with emphatic home victories over Indonesia and Kuwait, respectively. In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes to set Japan, preparing for an eighth consecutive World Cup, on its way to a 6-0 victory. Takefusa Kubo added a second five minutes later and Kamada extended the lead just before the break. Soon after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino piled on and Mao Hosoya made it six. In Asia's third round of qualification, the top two from each of the three groups of six progress automatically to next summer's World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan and South Korea have also qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. South Korea, which has qualified for an 11th straight World Cup, sealed the top spot in Group B after beating Kuwait 4-0. Jeon Jin-woo scored after 33 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in added a second soon after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also got on the scoresheet. The six teams that finish third and fourth advance to another stage to play for Asia's two remaining automatic places. Oman took the last remaining place with a 1-1 draw against the Palestinian team and join Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia in the fourth round, which will take place in October. ___ AP soccer: recommended
