Saudi Arabia’s 1-0 win against China revives their World Cup qualification efforts, putting them in third place in Group C, just a point behind Australia. Salem Al-Dawsari’s goal early in the second half marked a crucial moment for the team, who previously struggled in the qualification process. The match saw China reduced to ten men, and despite missing further chances, the victory was essential as they head into a tough game against Japan.

Saudi Arabia secured a vital 1-0 victory over 10-man China in Riyadh, reinvigorating their 2026 World Cup qualification efforts. Salem Al-Dawsari’s goal early in the second half elevated Herve Renard’s squad to third place in Group C, just one point short of Australia for the second automatic qualification slot, and maintaining a three-point lead over Indonesia, Bahrain, and China.

In other group matches, Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0, establishing a substantial nine-point lead at the top, thereby confirming their place in the tournament. Earlier, Australia’s resounding 5-1 victory against Indonesia heightened the pressure on Saudi Arabia, who had secured only two points from their last four qualification matches, knowing a triumphant performance was necessary ahead of their challenging match against Japan scheduled for Tuesday.

Dominating the first half, the Green Falcons nearly took an early lead with an attempt from Nawaf Boushal that struck the crossbar. They became increasingly threatening, with Faisal Al-Ghamdi seemingly scoring only for the goal to be disallowed by VAR for a handball. Lin Liangming’s red card in the first-half injury time left China with ten players, further shifting momentum in Saudi Arabia’s favor.

The breakthrough finally came five minutes into the second half when Al-Dawsari scored the team’s first goal in 410 minutes of play. Following a shot from Ayman Yahya that was deflected by the Chinese goalkeeper, Saud Abdulhamid set up Al-Dawsari, who finished decisively. Saudis pressed on for a second goal but did not manage to secure it, yet their one-goal lead proved sufficient for the victory.

For Group C, only the top two teams will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while third and fourth places will advance to a playoff stage. The determination of Saudi Arabia to rebound in this campaign is critical as they seek to secure a position in the upcoming World Cup.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s win against China is a significant boost for their World Cup aspirations. With a fine goal from Salem Al-Dawsari, they have moved closer to securing a qualifying spot. While their upcoming match against Japan poses a challenge, the team must capitalize on their current momentum to enhance their chances of success in the remaining fixtures of the qualification campaign.

Original Source: www.arabnews.jp

Related posts:

Saudi Arabia Revives World Cup Dreams with Victory Over China Saudi Arabia Rebounds in World Cup Race with Victory over 10-Man China Saudi Arabia Defeats 10-Man China 1-0 in AFC World Cup Qualifying China Faces Setbacks in World Cup Qualifier Against Saudi Arabia