Saudi Arabia were forced to dig deep to launch their play-off campaign for the 2026 World Cup with a 3-2 win over Indonesia in Jeddah on Wednesday, while 2022 hosts Qatar were frustrated in a goalless stalemate with Oman.
Six-time World Cup participants and strong favourites to progress from Group B, Saudi Arabia endured a nervous start at King Abdullah Sports City when Indonesia, chasing a first finals appearance, struck early.
The visitors were awarded a penalty after only 11 minutes when Hassan Al Tambakti was penalised, following a lengthy VAR check, for blocking Jay Idzes’ close-range header with his arm. Dutch-born midfielder Kevin Diks stepped up to convert from the spot, stunning the home support.
Saudi Arabia, though, responded quickly. Saleh Abu Al Shamat, making his competitive international debut, curled a superb left-footed strike from the edge of the area into the far corner to level the match six minutes later. The Al Ahli midfielder almost doubled his tally soon after, rattling the crossbar with a fierce long-range attempt.
By the 36th minute, the hosts were in front. Indonesia winger Yakob Sayuri was adjudged to have fouled Feras Al Brikan in the area, and after another prolonged VAR review, the Al Ahli striker thumped his penalty high into the net to make it 2-1.
Saudi Arabia pressed after the break and should have extended their advantage when goalkeeper Maarten Paes saved brilliantly from Al Brikan’s close-range header. Yet the forward would not be denied, reacting quickest to a rebound just past the hour to notch his second of the night and give Herve Renard’s men a 3-1 cushion.
Indonesia, however, refused to fade. With five minutes remaining, substitute Nawaf Bu Washl conceded a penalty for handball, allowing Diks to slot home his second spot-kick. Tension mounted in stoppage time when Saudi substitute Mohammed Kanno was sent off for dissent after collecting a second yellow card, but the Green Falcons held firm to secure a vital opening win.
“One more step to go. God willing, we’ll make it happen,” Al Brikan said in comments posted on X by the Asian Football Confederation.
“To all the fans, you truly deserve it! God willing, we’ll celebrate together after the next game and qualify to the Fifa World Cup!” Al Shamat said in another post.
The victory sees Saudi Arabia take early control of Group B ahead of their clash with Iraq next Tuesday. Indonesia, meanwhile, face Iraq on Saturday as they attempt to keep alive hopes of reaching the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Earlier on Wednesday, Group A produced a cagey affair as Qatar and Oman battled to a goalless draw at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
Qatar, under new coach Julen Lopetegui, dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute Omani defence. Two-time Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif went closest for the hosts, but was repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini.
“We performed well throughout against a stubborn team that defended well and closed the spaces,” Lopetegui said. “We created several opportunities but couldn’t convert them into goals.”
For Oman, led by Carlos Queiroz, the result preserves hopes of a first World Cup appearance. “A draw is the best result for both teams today,” Queiroz said. “We’ll prepare well to face the UAE and continue chasing our dream.”
With Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Jordan already qualified, Asia’s final two automatic berths will be settled in the coming week.
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
