Indonesia's scoring issues prompt coach Kluivert to 'punch myself in face'
(Fixes spelling of Saleh Abu Al-Shamat in paragraph three)
Iraq Sport News
Defeat in Jakarta prompted Saudi changes, says coach Renard
JEDDAH :Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said losing to Indonesia in Jakarta last year had been the spur to make the changes required to his squad that led them to seal a crucial victory over Patrick Kluivert's side on Wednesday.
Saudi's Al-Brikan hits double in comeback win over Indonesia
JEDDAH :Saudi Arabia fought back to earn a 3-2 win over Indonesia in Group B of Asia's World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday as Feras Al-Brikan's double boosted their hopes of securing a place at next year's finals in North America.
Saudi Arabia in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia came from behind to defeat Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday and take a giant step toward the 2026 World Cup finals. Two goals from Firas Al-Buraikan and a fine strike from his Al-Ahli team-mate, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, at their home ground in Jeddah means a victory over Iraq on Tuesday will ensure Herve Renard’s men make their seventh appearance at the World Cup finals, and even a point might be enough to book their tickets to North America. This opening game of the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers began, and would end, as a tense affair. The crowd at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, which is hosting all three Group B games, was silenced, aside from a small pocket of away fans, when Indonesia took the lead in the 11th minute. After a cross into a crowded area was adjudged to have been handled by Hassan Tambakti, Kevin Diks stepped up to take the spot kick and found the bottom corner of the net despite the best efforts of Nawaf Al-Aqidi. Given that the Saudis scored only seven goals across all 10 games in the third round of qualifiers, there was plenty of apprehension among the home crowd, but just six minutes later the hosts equalized and did so in style. Musab Al-Juwayr flicked a pass to Al-Shamat, who turned inside a defender just outside the area and then fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the goal past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Paes. Ten minutes before the break, Saudi Arabia were in front.
Queiroz slams schedule as Oman prepare to face Qatar in key WC qualifier
Oman coach Carlos Queiroz has criticised the decision to play his side's World Cup qualifiers in Qatar and questioned the fairness of the schedule ahead of the meeting between the Gulf nations in Doha's Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday.
Dutch talent steering several countries towards 2026 World Cup
The Netherlands have enjoyed plenty of World Cup success as three-time runners-up, and at next year’s finals in North America, Dutch influence could stretch well beyond their own team.
‘Whole country behind us’: Herve Renard and Saudi Arabia united in World Cup convictions
RIYADH: A video for a newly launched campaign, “You Got This,” featuring Saudi national team head coach Herve Renard, begins with a solitary figure running — at first alone, then gradually joined by others, until the crowd itself carries the Frenchman forward.
‘Whole country behind us’: Herve Renard and Saudi Arabia united in World Cup convictions
RIYADH: A video for a newly launched campaign, “You Got This,” featuring Saudi national team head coach Herve Renard, begins with a solitary figure running — at first alone, then gradually joined by others, until the crowd itself carries the Frenchman forward.