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Sophia Klein
Saudi Arabia Rebounds in World Cup Race with Victory over 10-Man China
Saudi Arabia triumphed over China with a 1-0 victory, thanks to Salem Al-Dawsari’s goal. This win boosted them to third place in their World Cup qualifying group. Despite struggles in previous matches, they are now within reach of the second automatic qualification spot, with a match against dominant Japan on the horizon.
In a decisive match held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia secured a 1-0 victory over a 10-man China, revitalizing their campaign for the 2026 World Cup qualification. Salem Al-Dawsari scored the crucial goal early in the second half, propelling the Green Falcons to third place in Group C, now just a point behind Australia in the race for the second automatic qualification spot.
The match unfolded with heightened urgency for Saudi Arabia following Australia’s prior 5-1 victory against Indonesia, coupled with the pressure of having garnered only two points in their last four qualification matches. Without gaining a win against the upcoming formidable Japanese team, the sense of urgency became apparent.
Throughout the first half, Saudi Arabia dominated possession and threatened repeatedly. Al-Dawsari nearly opened the scoring with a near-miss that hit the crossbar, and Faisal Al-Ghamdi had a goal disallowed for a handball just before halftime. As the match approached first-half stoppage, China lost Lin Liangming to a red card, leaving them a player down.
The second half began with Al-Dawsari finally breaking through, netting the team’s first goal in 410 minutes of the qualifying round. His goal was facilitated by a setup from Saud Abdulhamid after a rebound from Wang Dalei’s save. Although the Green Falcons sought to extend their lead, they were unable to find another goal, yet the single point earned was crucial in terms of standings.
The tournament’s top two teams from the six-nation group will secure automatic World Cup qualifications, while third and fourth place will lead to a playoff opportunity.
Saudi Arabia’s victory over China not only revitalized their World Cup qualifying efforts but also demonstrated the team’s resilience under pressure. With their current standing in Group C, they remain strategically positioned for a potential qualification going forward. Al-Dawsari’s goal marked an essential turnaround in their campaign, as they seek to improve their performance against Japan in the upcoming match.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
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