Firas Al-Buraikan scored twice to lead Saudi Arabia to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Indonesia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian playoffs on Wednesday, bringing the Green Falcons significantly closer to securing a coveted spot in the prestigious tournament.
Indonesia took an early lead through Kevin Diks’ penalty kick in the 11th minute. However, Saudi Arabia responded swiftly, with Saleh Abu Al-Shamat equalizing six minutes later. Al-Buraikan, who earned the Man of the Match award, then became the decisive force, doubling Saudi Arabia’s lead with a penalty in the 34th minute, before adding the third in the 62nd minute.
However, Indonesia fought back strongly, with Diks scoring a consolation goal in the 86th minute.
Both sides pressed forward seeking an early goal to ease the pressure, but the breakthrough came early in the first half through Diks, who successfully converted a penalty kick into the goal.
The Saudis pushed forward for an equalizer, which came through Abu Al-Shamat with a powerful ground shot from outside the penalty area, showcasing his skill and determination.
Al-Buraikan Shines Bright
The pivotal moment of the match occurred shortly after the half-hour mark after the Green Falcons earned a penalty kick when an Indonesian defender pulled Firas Al-Buraikan’s shirt inside the box.
Al-Buraikan confidently converted the penalty in the 34th minute, giving the Saudis a 2-1 lead.
The Al-Ahli star continued to impress, scoring Saudi Arabia’s third goal two minutes after the hour mark, capitalizing on a rebound after the Indonesian goalkeeper saved Musab Al-Juwayr’s shot, extending the lead to 3-1.
As the match approached its conclusion, Indonesia managed to pull one back in the 88th minute, as Diks scored his second goal from another penalty, narrowing the score to 3-2.
The tension heightened as the clock ticked down, but the Green Falcons held their ground.
In a dramatic turn of events, the referee sent off Mohammad Kanno just four minutes into added time for protesting a yellow card. However, despite the late drama, Saudi Arabia maintained their lead and secured the victory.
With this crucial win, the Green Falcons now turn their attention to their next challenge, as they are set to face Iraq in their second Group B match at Jeddah’s Alinma Stadium on Tuesday, with their supporters hoping to make a seventh qualification to the World Cup.
