Saudi Arabia prepare to face Bahrain in the fourth round of the Asian 2026 World Cup qualifiers at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday. The Green Falcons aim to secure crucial points to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
Mancini’s Men Aim to End Winless Streak
Saudi Arabia, under coach Roberto Mancini, look to end a three-match winless run at home. They previously suffered defeats to Jordan and Japan and settled for a draw with Indonesia. This match provides an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to regain form and push for qualification.
Group Standings and the Importance of Victory
Currently, Saudi Arabia sit third in Group C with four points, trailing leaders Japan by five points. They are also behind Australia due to goal difference. A win against Bahrain would be a significant boost to their campaign and bring them closer to the top two spots.
Squad Changes and Key Players
Mancini, who took charge of the Saudi team in August 2023, aims for consistency. He faces challenges with Fahad Al-Muwallad and Sultan Al-Ghanam injured, and Saud Abdulhamid suspended. Despite these setbacks, key players like Salem Al-Dawsari, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Firas Al-Buraikan are expected to lead the attack. Hassan Al-Tambakti will play a crucial role in defense.
Bahrain’s Resilience and Talajic’s Strategy
Bahrain, led by Croatian coach Dragan Talajic, has shown resilience in the qualifiers. After beating Australia 1-0, they lost 5-0 to Japan but recovered with a 2-2 draw against Indonesia. Talajic, experienced in Saudi football, will look to exploit Saudi Arabia’s weaknesses and build on Bahrain’s previous successes.
Head-to-Head Record and Tactical Battle
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have faced each other 17 times, with Saudi winning seven matches and Bahrain six, while four encounters ended in draws. Their most recent clash was a 1-0 loss for Saudi Arabia in the 2019 Arabian Gulf Cup final.
Both teams aim for a top-two finish in Group C to secure automatic World Cup qualification. A win is crucial for Saudi Arabia to stay competitive and regain momentum. However, Bahrain seek to strengthen their position and cause another upset in the qualifiers.
