FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC

Australia vs Saudi Arabia, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - AFC, Third Round

· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC

Socceroos held to Saudi stalemate in Cup qualifier

The Socceroos have been left to rue failing to seize control of their World Cup qualification bid after they were held to a 0-0 home draw by Saudi Arabia.

Match Timeline

  • 15': Ahmed Al-Kassar (Saudi Arabia) Yellow Card at 15'
  • 45': Nishan Velupillay (Australia) Substitution at 45'
  • 57': Abdullah Al-Khaibari (Saudi Arabia) Substitution at 57'
  • 57': Abdullah Al-Hamddan (Saudi Arabia) Substitution at 57'
  • 63': Ali Al-Bulayhi (Saudi Arabia) Yellow Card at 63'
  • 65': Riley McGree (Australia) Yellow Card at 65'
  • 74': Anthony Cáceres (Australia) Substitution at 74'
  • 74': Brandon Borrello (Australia) Substitution at 74'
  • 82': Aziz Behich (Australia) Substitution at 82'
  • 88': Awn Al-Saluli (Saudi Arabia) Substitution at 88'
  • 88': Sultan Al-Ghannam (Saudi Arabia) Substitution at 88'
  • 90': Kusini Yengi (Australia) Substitution at 90'
  • 90'+2': Jason Geria (Australia) Yellow Card at 92'
  • 90'+7': Abdullah Radif (Saudi Arabia) Substitution at 97'

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/ksa.png&h=25&scale=crop&w=25&location=originKSA AUShttps://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/aus.png&h=25&scale=crop&w=25&location=origin
8 Fouls 10
2 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
0 Offsides 0
3 Corner Kicks 3
1 Saves 1
57.6 Possession 42.4
3 SHOTS 13
1 ON GOAL 2
0.3 On Target % 0.2
0 Penalty Goals 0
0 Penalty Kicks Taken 0
0 Accurate Passes 0
0 Passes 0
0.0 Pass Completion % 0.0
0 Accurate Crosses 0
0 Crosses 0
0.0 Cross % 0.0
0 Long Balls 0
0 Accurate Long Balls 0
0.0 Long Balls % 0.0
1 Blocked Shots 6
0 Effective Tackles 0
0 Tackles 0
0.0 Tackle % 0.0
0 Interceptions 0
0 Effective Clearances 0
0 Clearances 0

Game Information

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC

Venue: AAMI Park
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Attendance: 27,491

WCQ - AFC Table

# TEAM GP GD PTS
1 Japan 6 +20 16
2 Australia 6 +1 7
3 Indonesia 6 -3 6
4 Saudi Arabia 6 -3 6
Full Table

Line-Ups

AUS Australia (3-4-2-1)

No. Name
18 Joe Gauci (GK)
19 Harry Souttar
21 Cameron Burgess
8 Jason Geria Yellow Card
22 Jackson Irvine
13 Aiden O'Neill
5 Jordan Bos
3 Lewis Miller
15 Mitchell Duke
14 Riley McGree Yellow Card
10 Ajdin Hrustic

KSA Saudi Arabia (4-1-4-1)

No. Name
22 Ahmed Al-Kassar (GK) Yellow Card
5 Ali Al-Bulayhi Yellow Card
17 Hassan Al-Tambakti
16 Faisal Al Ghamdi
13 Yasser Al-Shahrani
12 Saud Abdulhamid
6 Nasser Al-Dawsari
10 Musab Al-Juwayr
9 Feras Al-Brikan
8 Marwan Al Sahafi
11 Saleh Al-Shehri

WCQ - AFC News

Bentancur's appeal on his 'really harsh' 7-game ban rejected
Bentancur's appeal on his 'really harsh' 7-game ban rejected

Gab & Juls talk about Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur's rejected appeal on 7-game ban due to racial slur about Heung-Min Son.

Suphanat Mueanta has gone from teenage prodigy to Thailand's main man at just 22
Suphanat Mueanta has gone from teenage prodigy to Thailand's main man at just 22

Still only 22, Suphanat Mueanta is one of Thailand's seasoned campaigners leading their ASEAN Championship charge.

Masatada Ishii pleased with development of Thailand's next generation at ASEAN Championship
Masatada Ishii pleased with development of Thailand's next generation at ASEAN Championship

Thailand's young stars have impressed coach Masatada Ishii with the start they've made at the ASEAN Championship.

2026 World Cup: How nations from around the world can qualify
2026 World Cup: How nations from around the world can qualify

The race for the 2026 World Cup has begun in earnest. Here's how it's looking around the globe.

Thailand without star men in quest for historic third consecutive ASEAN Championship crown
Thailand without star men in quest for historic third consecutive ASEAN Championship crown

A lack of familiar names should not mean Thailand are to be underestimated at the upcoming ASEAN Championship.