Saudi Arabia were held to a 0-0 draw by Bahrain in Jeddah on Tuesday in another disappointing performance and result in the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup. A first-half missed penalty from Salem Al-Dawsari — his second in four games in Group C — proved costly and meant that the Green Falcons failed to climb above Australia into second place. The Socceroos had earlier drawn 1-1 with leaders Japan in Saitama, to move on to five points, one above Saudi Arabia and five behind the Samurai Blue. The match had given Roberto Mancini’s men the chance to move two points above Australia into second ahead of their meeting in Melbourne next month, but after collecting only one point now from two home games in Jeddah in the space of five days, the heat is on the Italian head coach. In reality this was another plodding performance, albeit against well-organized, hard-working and physically strong opponents. There were few moments of quality and few chances. Saudi Arabia started brightly, however, with Firas Al-Buraikan forcing an early save from Ebrahim Lutfalla after some smart attacking interplay, but there was an even bigger chance before long. There was a lengthy […]