MELBOURNE — Australia and Saudi Arabia battled to a 0-0 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group C match at the Melbourne Rectangular Arena on Thursday. The result left both teams with six points at the midway stage of the qualifiers, with neither side satisfied with the outcome. Australia had an early opportunity in the seventh minute when Saudi Arabia's Musab Al Juwayr was penalised for a handball just outside the box. However, Ajdin Hrustic's free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall. The Saudi response came with Yasir Al Shahrani crossing for Marwan Al Sahafi, but the ball was cleared by Christian Burgess. Australia continued to pressure Saudi Arabia's defence, earning a free-kick in the 17th minute. Lewis Miller's header from Hrustic's set-piece went close, but Harry Souttar blazed the follow-up over the bar. Saudi Arabia came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute when Saleh Al Shehri fed Nasser Al Dawsari, who cut through the Australian defence before forcing goalkeeper Joe Gauci into a fine save at the near post. Australia wasted two clear chances in the 33rd minute and again in the 36th minute. Miller had his header blocked, and Hrustic failed to find the target following Miller's setup. Just before halftime, Aiden O'Neill's tackle on Al Dawsari set up Mitch Duke to feed Hrustic, but his shot was easily saved by Saudi goalkeeper Ahmed Al Kassar. The second half saw both teams struggle to convert opportunities. Saudi Arabia threatened a minute into the restart with Al Shehri's attempt from close range, while Australia's Riley McGree and Duke both missed from inside the box. With time running out, Australia thought they had a late winner in the 83rd minute when Miller's pass to Brandon Borrello set him through on goal, only for Saud Abdulhamid to make a crucial tackle. Saudi Arabia also had a late chance with Abdullah Al Hamddan cutting inside the box, but Burgess cleared the ball to prevent a goal. In added time, Saudi Arabia thought they had scored the winner when Sultan Al Ghannam turned in Burgess' clearance, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Australia will face Bahrain on Matchday Six, while Saudi Arabia will take on Indonesia.
