MELBOURNE: Saudi Arabia had a goal disallowed in added time in a scoreless draw with Australia, a result that did neither side any favors in their bid to qualify for World Cup 2026.
Despite several chances in front of a sold out AAMI Park in Melbourne, the breakthrough both teams desperately needed never came.
The Saudis and their new French coach Herve Renard thought they had won in the 93rd minute when Sultan Al-Ghannam rifled home from just inside the box.
But the flag went up, with one of his teammates offside.
“We had some good opportunities but we have to go give our opponent credit. First half we didn’t play very well,” said Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“We were not very good with the ball while they were sharp and energetic.
“We improved significantly in the second half, which is good,” he added.
“Overall, it’s a point and we move forward but certainly we can improve.”
The stalemate played into the hands of Group C leaders Japan and opened the door for Bahrain to leapfrog them as Asian qualifying reached the halfway mark.
Australia and the Saudis both have six points, four behind table-toppers Japan who can stretch their lead further when they meet Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
Bahrain, on five points, host China later in Riffa and will move into second spot if they win.
Just the top two seal their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America, with third and fourth forced into another round of Asian qualifying.
Australia must now lift themselves for a difficult trip to Bahrain next week, while Saudi Arabia travel to Indonesia.
Popovic made just one change from the team that drew with Japan in Saitama last month with Standard Liege midfielder Aiden O’Neill in for Luke Brattan.
Renard, who was appointed a fortnight ago in place of Roberto Mancini, swung the axe with just four survivors from their last match, a goalless draw with Bahrain.
Both sides started at a frenetic pace and in a big moment on 12 minutes the referee awarded Australia a penalty after Mitch Duke clashed heads with goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar who came out to clear the ball.
But VAR showed the infringement was outside the box.
The first decent effort did not come until the 27th minute when Saudi midfielder Nasser Al-Dawsari whipped in a shot from a tight angle. Goalkeeper Joe Gauci saved at the near post.
Gauci made another crucial stop on the cusp of half-time, charging off his line to pluck the ball off the feet of Feras Albrikan in a one-on-one situation.
Australia had the brighter second half, creating far more chances with Riley McGree and Duke whipping in shots that were blocked.
They had a glorious opportunity with seven minutes left when substitute Brandon Borrello beat the offside trap.
But instead of shooting he opted to pass and the chance was wasted, before the last-minute drama with the disallowed goal.
Saudi goal disallowed in scoreless draw with Australia
https://arab.news/26dtz
Saudi goal disallowed in scoreless draw with Australia
- Green Falcons thought they had won in the 93rd minute when Sultan Al-Ghannam rifled home from just inside the box
- Mitch Duke clashed heads with goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar who came out to clear the ball, but VAR showed the infringement was outside the box
Saudi national team steps up preparations for Bahrain World Cup qualifier
- Several players were sidelined due to injuries
- Team will hold closed training session on Monday evening
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team resumed training on Sunday evening as preparations intensify for Thursday’s crucial clash against Bahrain in the ninth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard, the session at Ettifaq Club Stadium featured warm-ups, possession drills, tactical exercises, and stretching routines.
Several players were sidelined due to injuries, including Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, and Jihad Zekr, who was injured during the recent King’s Cup final, as well as Muhannad Al-Saad, who was hurt in a previous friendly.
Mohamed Bakr continued his rehabilitation program, while Muteb Al-Harbi began recovery work with the medical team. Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri took part in recovery drills only.
The team will hold a closed training session on Monday evening as preparations continue.
Shreyas Iyer powers Punjab past Mumbai and into IPL final against Bengaluru
- Iyer hit the winning six as Punjab reached their second IPL final
- The league was extended by nine days after being paused due to a military conflict between India and Pakistan
AHMEDABAD: Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 87 as Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets on Sunday to set up an IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Chasing 204 for victory in a rain-delayed last playoff, Punjab rode Iyer’s 41-ball knock, laced with five fours and eight sixes, to achieve their target with six balls to spare in Ahmedabad.
Iyer hit the winning six as Punjab reached their second IPL final. It will be played at the same venue — the world’s biggest cricket stadium — on Tuesday.
The final will produce a new IPL winner with both Bengaluru, with star batter Virat Kohli, and Punjab in hunt for their first title in the T20 tournament.
Punjab lost opener Prabhsimran Singh for six but England’s Josh Inglis set up the chase with quick scoring as he and left-handed opener Priyansh Arya put together 42 runs in 18 balls.
Arya fell for 20 and Inglis for 38 after three fours and two sixes.
Iyer and left-handed Nehal Wadhera, who hit 48, turned the tide in overs 13 and 14 as the captain smashed England left-arm quick Reece Topley for three straight sixes.
Wadhera departed in the 16th over to raise Mumbai’s hopes, but Iyer stood firm as he finished with a masterclass.
The second qualifier began two hours and 15 minutes late due to persistent drizzle after the toss.
Punjab elected to field first before rain forced the players indoors for more than two hours. Officials did not cut any overs when play resumed.
Five-time champions Mumbai, who posted 203-6, lost veteran opener Rohit Sharma for eight off Marcus Stoinis in the third over but England’s Jonny Bairstow took on the opposition bowlers with regular boundaries.
Bairstow, who joined Mumbai ahead of the playoffs and played a key role in their win in the eliminator against Gujarat Titans, made 38 in a 51-run stand with the left-handed Varma.
Medium-pace bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak dismissed Baristow, who attempted to play a scoop shot but fell caught behind.
Tilak Varma kept up pace with Suryakumar Yadav as the pair put on 72 runs. Both made 44 each.
The two fell in the space of three deliveries, but number six Naman Dhir hit an 18-ball 37 to boost the total, which in the end proved insufficient.
The league was extended by nine days after being paused due to a military conflict between India and Pakistan and some overseas players including Mumbai imports Will Jacks (England) and Ryan Rickelton (South Africa) left before the playoffs.
Al-Nassr sign Mohamed Simakan on 5-year deal
- Frenchman made 39 appearances for club last season after joining on loan
- Defender valued at $26.1m
RIYADH: Al-Nassr have completed the signing of French defender Mohamed Simakan on a five-year deal, according to Arriyadiyah.
The 25-year-old center back joined the Saudi Pro League side on loan from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig last summer. That deal included a mandatory purchase clause, which has now been activated following the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.
The report said the loan was structured purely for administrative and financial reasons and with all contractual conditions now fulfilled, Al-Nassr have formalized the transfer.
Simakan made 39 appearances during his debut season, 26 of them in the Saudi Pro League, 11 in the AFC Champions League Elite and two in the King Cup.
A consistent performer and a versatile presence in defense, he quickly established himself as a key figure in Al-Nassr’s back line. He contributed one goal and three assists.
His market value is currently estimated at €23 million ($26.1 million), according to Transfermarkt.
Oscar Piastri wins in Spain with McLaren one-two, Verstappen demoted
- Piastri extends lead to 10 points with fifth win of season with Norris second, Leclerc third
- Verstappen demoted from fifth to 10th after Red Bull driver clashed with Leclerc and Russell
BARCELONA: Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two on Sunday to forge 10 points clear of teammate Lando Norris in the title battle.
The Australian’s win, by 2.4 seconds, was his fifth in nine races this season and McLaren’s seventh.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium after passing Max Verstappen’s Red Bull six laps from the end following a safety car period that triggered the main talking point of the afternoon with the champion demoted from fifth to 10th.
“It’s a nice way to bounce back from Monaco. A superb weekend,” said Piastri, who finished third last weekend in a race won from pole by Norris.
Verstappen, who made four stops in total and ended up on the slower hard tires against rivals on softs, collided with Leclerc and twice with Mercedes’ George Russell after the safety car restart.
The angry Dutch driver was given a 10-second penalty added to his overall time for the second Russell collision that was clearly his fault.
He and Leclerc also faced a post-race investigation for their clash that could lead to further sanctions.
“I tried to push him to the left, there was a bit of contact but fortunately no consequences,” said Leclerc. Verstappen claimed the Monegasque had rammed into him and should have given back the place.
Russell finished fourth after eventually being let through by Verstappen, who reluctantly did as his team told him.
Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg finished a surprising and morale-boosting fifth for the future Audi team after passing Ferrari’s seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton on the penultimate lap.
Hamilton was a disappointing sixth, Isack Hadjar seventh for Racing Bulls and Pierre Gasly eighth for Renault-owned Alpine.
FIRST POINTS
Home hero Fernando Alonso scored his first points of the season with Aston Martin, who had only one car on the grid due to Lance Stroll’s withdrawal through injury after Saturday’s qualifying.
Piastri led away cleanly at the start with Verstappen seizing second from Norris while Hamilton and Leclerc moved up to fourth and fifth as Russell lost out.
Hamilton let Leclerc through on lap 10 of 66 after the two Ferraris had run nose to tail.
Norris took back second place from Verstappen on lap 13, the Dutch driver making no attempt to defend against the quicker McLaren and pitting in the next lap for fresh tires.
Verstappen took the lead again on lap 23 after Piastri pitted, with Norris making his first stop on lap 21 and coming out behind the Red Bull, but that lasted only until Verstappen pitted for a second time on lap 30.
He came in for a third stop on lap 47 but Norris pitted the lap after to defend second place.
A safety car deployment on lap 55, after Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli beached his Mercedes in the gravel, bunched up the field and triggered a rash of stops.
The McLarens came in together for fresh tires, double-stacking, and resumed ahead of Verstappen who questioned the switch to a set of hards but was told that was the only option available.
Twisted Minds defend Overwatch 2 crown at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025
- Victory secures team’s spot in Overwatch Champions Series
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s top Overwatch 2 team, Twisted Minds, have once again stamped their authority on the national stage, successfully defending their title at the ESL Saudi Challenge 2025, held at Riyadh’s VOV Gaming Arena.
The high-octane finale saw Twisted Minds overcome a fierce challenge from Al-Qadsiah, who went into the match with a lot of momentum after a decisive win against Team Vision in the semifinals.
The final matchup was a showcase of strategy and execution, with Twisted Minds ultimately pulling ahead through superior coordination and championship composure. With the win, they not only retained the title but also secured a berth in the Overwatch Champions Series, the official qualifier for the Esports World Cup.
They also claimed the top prize from a $20,000 pool.
The ESL Saudi Challenge, launched by ESL FACEIT Group, is part of a broader push to elevate the competitive gaming scene in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Designed as both a platform for talent and a pipeline to international competitions, the tournament reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in the global esports ecosystem.
“The ESL Saudi Challenge is a cornerstone in our long-term commitment to building a thriving and sustainable esports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region,” said Franck Guignery, the group’s senior vice president for MENA.
“Through this tournament, we’re not only creating high-level competitive opportunities for local talent but also reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a key player on the global esports map.
“This is just the beginning, we see Saudi and MENA as essential to the future of competitive gaming and we’re here to help shape that future.”
As Twisted Minds prepare to represent Saudi Arabia in the OWCS, the Kingdom’s position as a force in international esports continues to grow. With strategic investments, a strong talent pool and quality infrastructure, the country is no longer just part of the global esports movement it is helping to lead it.
