It was a funny game, Australia’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening; a contest in which neither side could be said to have played at their best but, at the same time, both will have left kicking themselves that they didn’t take the three points. For the Socceroos, it was a tale, yet again, of telling moments going begging. And for the Green Falcons, inches, if that, that denied them a dramatic 95th-minute winner.
With just seconds remaining, having not created all that much going forward across the second half, the ball sat up for Sultan Al-Ghannam on the second phase of a free kick. The 27,491 fans in the stadium held their breath and the Al-Nassr wingback seized the moment, driving a low effort beyond Joe Gacui and into the bottom corner of the net. It was a dagger, a late strike that had won the game. Pandemonium broke out on the Saudi bench and the strong contingent of their fans in the stands.
But gradually the celebrations become more muted. The realisation sank in first amongst the players on the pitch and those watching on from the terraces. Amidst all the raucousness, the assistant’s flag had been raised. The ball had gone through Ali Al-Bulaihi’s legs as it made its way into the net and the defender, by the barest of margins, had been behind the last figure in Green and Gold when the shot was launched. By definition, that meant he was interfering with play from an offside position. The goal would not stand, a winning start to the second Hervé Renard era in charge denied.
“I just saw the reaction,” Renard said of the moment. “We have to give confidence to the ref. But I have to see once again to be sure they made the best decision. So no more comments about it.”
For the Socceroos, though, maybe there was a sense of balance to that turn of fate, given that on another night they easily could have been ahead. Three times across the opening 45 minutes and once more in the dying stages, the side in green and gold were presented with gilt-edged opportunities to open the scoring and four times that moment had slipped through their grasp.
In the 18th minute, Lewis Miller’s header from an Ajdin Hrustic free kick was blocked by Feras Al-Brikan into the path of Harry Souttar in the six-yard box, only for the towering defender to sky his effort over the bar.
In the 45th, the press from Aiden O’Neill saw Nasser Al-Dawsari cough the ball up for Mitch Duke, who would square the ball to Hrustic in space at the top of the box, only for his tame effort to be easily handled by Saudi keeper Ahmed Al-Kassar. Five minutes later, with effectively the last action of the half, another pressing manoeuver saw Jackson Irvine steal a pass from Faisel Al-Ghamdi, play a one-two with Duke and advance towards goal before placing an off-balance shot wide, the ball he’d been hoping to play to Hrustic never eventuating.
In the 84th minute, Miller slid the ball in behind the Saudi lines for substitute Brandon Borrello to advance clear in on goal but, at the final moment, the attacker opted to attempt to square the ball for McGree for an ostensible tap-in rather than shoot himself, giving the visitor’s defence the scope to heroically scramble the ball clear.
For a side that has struggled to create chances consistently, it was a quartet of moments that needed to be seized. They didn’t play well in the opening half but still had three chances. They played better in the second and only had one. Yet none were taken and a chance to take a giant step towards 2026 went begging.
“They brought a lot of energy in the first half and I don’t think we coped with that very well,” said Australia coach Tony Popovic. “We weren’t very good with the ball and we looked a little bit heavy and lethargic.
“But in the second half, I thought we really improved and took control of the game, which was pleasing.”
Ultimately, both sides exit with a point, largely in the same place they found themselves coming in and likely to be leapfrogged in the group by Bahrain, who host bottom-placed China later on Thursday; McGree’s last-minute bicycle kick that bounced just wide another tease of what glories may have been.
Saudi Arabia, with a vocal away contingent at their backs, appeared to have scored a 93rd-minute winner from a free kick but the goal was dramatically ruled offside.
While the Saudis dominated possession, Australia had the better of the chances in front of 27,491 fans at Melbourne's AAMI Park.
The top two teams in group C secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup while third and fourth place go into the next round of qualifying.
The Socceroos currently sit second in group C, on six points behind leaders Japan (10 points), and ahead of the Saudis on goal difference, while Bahrain (five points) play China (three) later on Thursday.
Japan play Indonesia (three points) on Friday.
Despite some sloppy passing and at-times shaky build-up play that almost let the Saudis in multiple times, Australia still had several quality chances that went begging.
On the hour mark, Hrustic was released but shot tamely at Saudi goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar.
Jackson Irvine curled a shot over the bar late in added time.
In the 84th minute, Lewis Miller slipped through substitute Brandon Borrello, who burst forward and attempted to square it to Riley McGree, who was thwarted.
The Saudis appeared to have taken the lead when a late free kick deflected out to Sultan Al-Ghannam, whose long-range strike nestled in the back of the net.
But as the Saudis wheeled away celebrating, the linesman raised his flag and disallowed the goal, as Ali Al-Bulayhi had played at the ball, therefore interfering with goalkeeper Joe Gauci from an offside position.
McGree had an audacious bicycle kick flick wide of the near post in the 97th minute.
Another qualifier is in the book, and I guess the Socceroos can say they are ever so slightly closer to the 2026 World Cup. But the opportunity to move clear of Saudi Arabia has passed them by, though things could have been worse if not for that linesman's flag.
Thanks for your company tonight! The blog will be back soon as this qualification campaign continues, and we hope you will join us again then.
By Dean Bilton
Mama mia, what a finish.
Somehow that is equally one that got away for Australia and an incredibly lucky escape. The Socceroos did not play well, lacked cohesion and creativity in attack and required an incredibly tight offside call to go their way in the last moments to save a point.
But the Socceroos did create enough chances to win that game too. There was a lack of a clinical edge in the final third, something you can not afford when your only chances are coming from sporadic high turnovers.
The show goes on for Australia. The smile on Herve Renard's face after the game suggests Saudi Arabia will be happy with the point, but the Socceroos now need to regather themselves and find a way to beat Bahrain on the road next week.
By Dean Bilton
So, so unlucky for Saudi Arabia. Ali Al-Bulahi was marginally, MARGINALLY offside as Sultan Al-Ghannam's shot came in, and given the ball went through his legs Al-Bulahi was adjudged to have interfered with play.
The Saudis thought they had done it. The Socceroos looked like they were down and out. Now Riley McGree is attempting bicycle kicks at the other end to try to steal it.
By Dean Bilton
There is bedlam in Melbourne! The entire Saudi squad was on the pitch to celebrate what looked to be Saudi Arabia's winning goal, from the boot of Sultan Al-Ghannam, but the flag went up to deny them their moment!
But VAR will check this and check this again to make sure the goal was rightfully disallowed. The Socceroos aren't out of the woods yet...
By Dean Bilton
A bursting run down the Saudi left wing led to a wicked cross low into the six yard box, but Souttar and Burgess just about did enough to see it clear.
There isn't too much attacking ambition coming from Saudi Arabia at this late stage, but they're still dangerous.
There will be five minutes added on.
Aiden O'Neill has been subbed for Kusini Yengi, which will get the pulses racing for the last five minutes.
By Dean Bilton
It had to be a goal! The Socceroos beat the offisde trap, Borrello was in on goal but chose to square it to McGree who was around the keeper, but not the last defender.
Saud Abdulhamid somehow got a toe in the way of the shot and stopped a certain Australian goal. Perhaps VAR might have had a look at the initial pass for a hint of offside, but the flagged stayed down. Another missed chance.
By Dean Bilton
Jordy Bos is coming off, to be replaced by Aziz Behich. Some fresh legs at left wing-back as the minutes tick down.
By Dean Bilton
There will be another decent chunk of added time as we have had several injury stoppages (and I would guess a few more to come, as the Saudis look to shut this game down).
A draw away from home would certainly suit Saudi Arabia down to the ground. Up to Australia to find some cutting edge.
By Dean Bilton
I was wrong, that's Velupillay's night over. Not at all what the Socceroos needed tonight or for the upcoming game against Bahrain.
There will be a double change, with Brandon Borrello and Anthony Caceres coming on for Velupillay and and Mitch Duke.
By Dean Bilton
He's a different sort of player to Hrustic, far more direct with the ball. A couple of times now he's taken on the defence with a probing run, and against this high line it's looking like a viable option.
Unfortunately after his latest slalom run, he's gone over on his ankle is requring some medical attention. He doesn't look happy, but I think he'll be able to continue. Australia can't afford to lose him too.
By Dean Bilton
Jordy Bos went on a fantastic run, and his cross looked destined for Nishan Velupillay at the back post, only for Lewis Millar to barge into his back and wipe them both out.
Mitch Duke had a half-chance moments later, but his shot was charged down brilliantly by the Saudi defence. Australia is on top, clearly, for the first time tonight.
By Dean Bilton
It's coming from the hard work and grit of guys like Mitch Duke, rather than any sort of flowing build up play, but it's starting to put a weary Saudi defence under pressure.
Riley McGree's snap shot was blocked, but there is life in Australia now with half an hour to play.
By Dean Bilton
But the timing is off, and the offisde flag is halting them at every turn.
There is opportunity there for the Socceroos though. That Saudi high line looks breachable to me. Just going to take more quality than we have seen from this game so far.
By Dean Bilton
Ajdin Hrustic has a groin problem and has been subbed off at half-time. Australia's brightest player in the first half has been replaced by Nishan Velupillay.
And a deflected shot from Al-Shehri earns Saudi Arabia a corner already.
By Dean Bilton
A scratchy, unconvincing first half from Australia, but still one in which it created most of the best chances. Saudi Arabia looked more composed on the ball and organised off it, but didn't really turn that into any real threat - until the final moments of the half, that is. Australia thought it had a penalty, but VAR correctly overruled the call as Mitch Duke had been fouled just outside the area.
The Socceroos improved as the half wore on, but their biggest threats remain Ajdin Hrustic's left foot and Harry Souttar from set pieces.
Australia needs an injection of pace up top to try to exploit the Saudi high line, or to try to bring Duke into the game more somehow. Work to do.
By Dean Bilton
Again it comes from a successful high press, but again the finish wasn't there for the Socceroos.
Irvine did all the hard work, winning the ball initially and earning the shot from the edge of the box. But he was unbalanced, and it spooned over the bar harmlessly.
By Dean Bilton
There may have been an offside in the build up, but Gauci was sensational in denying Feras in a genuine one-on-one. The striker tried to take it around the keeper but Gauci timed his move perfectly to deny him without conceding a penalty.
A flag did go up later in the play, but Gauci's good work was already done.
By Dean Bilton
Just as I pump up Ajdin Hrustic, he lets one get away.
Aiden O'Neill gave the Saudi defence a taste of its own medicine with a fantastic press, pinching the ball just outside the penalty area. Duke played in Hrustic who was on his favoured left foot, but his shot was so meek.
It dribbled to the keeper and the moment had passed.
Six minutes to be added on in first-half stoppage time.
By Dean Bilton
It's Ajdin Hrustic. He is coming more and more into the game, and his left foot is only meaning good things for the Socceroos. Hrustic alone is bringing the promise of some more fluidity in attack, cutting in from the right to spot runners in behind.
Nothing has stuck yet, but there are signs of life.
