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5 things we learned from Saudi’s World Cup qualifiers

LONDON: Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Japan on Tuesday to follow the 1-0 win over China last Thursday. The results leave the Green Falcons on 10 points in Group C in the third round of 2026 World Cup qualification, three points behind Australia in second. Japan are already sure of first.

Only the top two from each of the three groups of six are guaranteed a place in North America next summer, while those that finish third and fourth advance to another stage of qualification.

It goes without saying that Saudi Arabia want to take the direct route. Here are five things we learned from this World Cup qualification window.

The Japan result was a good one

Four points from the two games is a good showing. The China game should have ended with a more emphatic scoreline and ideally would have been followed by victory in Japan.

Coach Herve Renard said after the 0-0 draw that he would have taken the point if he had been offered it 24 hours earlier, and understandably so. Japan are the best team in Asia by some distance, even if they had already qualified.

If Saudi Arabia do miss out on the automatic places for the World Cup it will not be because of the stalemate in Japan but because of earlier home draws with Indonesia and Bahrain. If six points had been taken in those two games under Roberto Mancini, then the result in Saitama Stadium would have been hailed as an excellent one. The same could be said if Australia had not picked up six points in the last five days.

Attacking threat sacrificed for defensive solidity

Renard did not need to say that he would have taken a point: His game plan and tactics made it obvious that this was what he wanted.

There was talk about keeping it tight for the opening exchanges and then perhaps

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