Nine’s Wide World of Sports
Australia has fought out a frustrating nil-all draw in its FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabi at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
The Socceroos needed the win and the accompanying three points on Thursday night to strengthen their hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Instead, hopes of qualifying for a sixth consecutive World Cup campaign hang in the balance after several of the side's stars failed to fire. Even a crazy Riley McGree overhead kick at the death wasn't enough to force a result.
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Riley McGree attempts a overhead kick at goal during the round three 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifier match between the Australia Socceroos and Saudi Arabia. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia's players thought they had scored the winner with minutes remaining in injury time before the referee's flag went up and disallowed the goal.
Following a free kick and a yellow card to Jason Geria, Sultan Al Ghannam smashed a shot towards the left post, which sailed past Aussie keeper Joe Gauci.
But Ali Albulayhi was deemed offside in Gauci's line of sight.
The Socceroos had started on the defensive as the Saudis pressed up the ground and dominated possession in the first 35 minutes of the match.
Australia had expected Saudi Arabia to be energetic in the first match under reinstalled boss Herve Renard and the side's pressure certainly caused a few nervous moments.
In a horror hit, Mitch Duke clashed heads with Saudi goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar.
The referee initially pointed to the penalty spot before VAR ruled a free kick was more fitting as the incident occurred on the outside edge of the penalty box.
Alcazar received a yellow card but Socceroos coach Tony Popovic was left questioning why a red card was not shown.
After a lengthy delay, Harry Souttar skied his shot on goal after Ajdin Hrustic put the ball in play from the free kick.
This kicked off three golden opportunities as the Socceroos lifted before half time.
Capitalising on a turnover, Hrustic targeted the Saudis' goal from the top of the box, however Al-Kassar quickly dove low to snatch the ball.
Skipper Jackson Irvine also had a chance on the counterattack but squandered it as both teams went into the main break scoreless.
Hometown hero Hrustic was replaced by Nishan Velupillay after half-time after appearing to suffer a groin injury.
Despite a quiet start to the second term, a pair of yellow cards were handed out to Albulayhi and McGree.
Velupillay made an immediate impact but was forced out of the game after suffering an ankle injury, leading to Brandon Borrello making his long-awaited return to the national team.
Nishan Velupillay of the Socceroos is checked on by referee after suffering an ankle injury. Darrian Traynor via Getty Images
The rotation also saw midfielder Anthony Caceres make his international debut in place of Duke.
Australia continued to generate scoring chances but with the score held in a deadlock, the hosts continually came up fruitless.
Late on with Borrello moving into the striker role, he tried to draw Al-Kassar and combine with McGree for a sure-fire goal.
But a huge physical effort from Saudi Arabia's defence cleared the shot.
With the result, Australia and Saudi Arabia both walk away with one point each.
The sides are level on six points in Group C of the Asian qualifiers — though the Socceroos sit ahead based on goal difference.
The nations are four points adrift from group leader Japan.
More concerningly, Bahrain — who are one point behind in third position — will face China in the early hours of Friday morning (AEST).
The top two nations from each of the three Asian Football Confederation groups will directly book their place at the 2026 World Cup, to be held in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
The Socceroos will now travel to Riffa where they will meet Bahrain next Wednesday.
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