Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – In a disappointing display, Saudi Arabia was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Bahrain on Tuesday night in Jeddah, continuing their struggles in the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

The match further exacerbated the pressure on head coach Roberto Mancini, as the Green Falcons failed to capitalize on home advantage for the second time in five days.

Missed Opportunities Haunt the Green Falcons

The match marked another missed opportunity for Saudi Arabia to secure vital points in Group C, where they now sit third, behind leaders Japan and Australia.

Earlier in the day, the Socceroos managed a 1-1 draw with Japan, leaving Saudi Arabia trailing by one point with five points accumulated so far.

After a promising start to the campaign, the lack of clinical finishing and tactical cohesion has raised questions about the team’s prospects.

The spotlight fell on Salem Al-Dawsari, who had another chance to redeem himself after missing a penalty in the opening match against Indonesia, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

In the 13th minute of the game, a VAR review awarded Saudi Arabia a penalty after Marwan Al-Sahafi was brought down in the area by Abdulla Al-Khalasi.

However, Al-Dawsari’s effort from the spot was far from convincing. His penalty was well saved by Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla, marking his second miss in four matches.

The atmosphere in the King Abdullah Sports City was initially electric, but the energy quickly dissipated following the miss. The crowd’s disappointment echoed throughout the stadium, as the home side struggled to regain momentum.

Al-Dawsari, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in Asian football, seemed to carry the weight of the match on his shoulders, and the missed penalty proved costly as the Green Falcons failed to create significant chances.

A Struggle Against a Resilient Bahrain Side

Despite starting the match with intent, Saudi Arabia quickly found themselves up against a disciplined and well-organized Bahraini defense.

Bahrain’s physicality and tactical discipline posed challenges for the hosts, who struggled to break through. Firas Al-Buraikan’s early shot on goal was one of the few moments of excitement in the first half, with Lutfalla forced into a save.

As the half progressed, Bahrain came close to taking the lead in stoppage time. A low shot from Al-Khalasi, who was attempting to redeem himself for the penalty incident, was well-blocked by Saudi goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar.

Bahrain’s confidence grew as they began to exploit gaps in the Saudi defense, with Al-Kassar required to make a crucial save moments later from a header by Al-Buraikan.

The second half saw the Green Falcons create only a handful of opportunities. Abdullah Radif found space in the area but failed to test Lutfalla with a weak shot.

Bahrain’s defense remained resolute, absorbing pressure and looking for counter-attacking opportunities. The match remained deadlocked as the minutes ticked away, leaving fans in Jeddah increasingly agitated.

Late Drama and Frustration for Saudi Arabia

As the match entered the closing stages, Bahrain’s task became even more challenging when they were reduced to ten men in the 87th minute.

Sayed Hashim Isa suffered an injury, having already used all available substitutes. This left Bahrain to defend their goal with only ten players against a desperate Saudi attack.

Despite the numerical advantage and 11 minutes of added time, the Green Falcons struggled to break down the visitors’ defense.

A late challenge by Lutfalla on Al-Dawsari in the penalty area went unpunished by the referee, and VAR was again not called upon.

The frustration in the stands reached a boiling point as Saudi Arabia pushed for a last-minute winner, with Musab Al-Juwayr sending in a low cross in the 101st minute that failed to find a teammate.

The final whistle brought an end to another disheartening match for the home side, with only Bahrain celebrating their resilience.

Mancini’s men walked off the pitch to a chorus of discontent from the fans, who were vocal in expressing their dissatisfaction with the team’s performance.

The coach was seen exchanging words with a group of frustrated supporters as he made his way to the tunnel, a clear indication of the rising tensions surrounding the national team.

The Road Ahead

As the qualification campaign continues, Saudi Arabia’s inability to secure points at home is a significant concern.

With only one point from two matches played in Jeddah, the pressure on Mancini to turn things around before their crucial clash against Australia in Melbourne next month intensifies.

The Green Falcons will need to analyze their performances and find ways to improve their attacking output if they hope to advance in the World Cup qualifiers.

The upcoming fixtures will be pivotal for the team’s morale and standing in Group C, and a return to winning ways will be essential for the hopes of the Saudi fans who expect a strong showing from their national team.

As the players regroup and reflect on their recent performances, the challenge remains to translate their potential into results on the pitch.

The upcoming matches will test their resolve, and only time will tell if Saudi Arabia can find the form needed to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members