International Friendlies
Saudi Arabia were impressive in a 3-2 win against Korea Republic, Australia defeated Qatar 3-0, Kuwait won 3-0 against Syria while UAE secured a 3-1 success against Honduras.
Saudi Arabia 3-2 Korea Republic
After an even start to the game, Saudi Arabia went ahead in first half added time when Kim Seung-gyu slipped in trying to stop Abdullah Al Hamddan, who played the ball to Marwan Al Sahafi to slot home.
Korea Republic responded two minutes into the second half with Seol Young-woo’s cross finished off by Oh Hyeon-gyu but parity was temporary as the West Asian side restored their lead in the 56th minute through Mohamed Kanno following a brilliant run from Saud Abdulhamid.
Abdulelah Al Amri’s header three minutes later made it 3-1 with Korea Republic pulling a goal back through Lee Jae-sung in the 68th minute.
Qatar 0-3 Australia
Australia couldn’t have asked for a better start, taking the lead in the fifth minute after Qatar custodian Mahmud Abunada hit a pass straight to Riley McGree, who could not miss with a gaping goalmouth in front of him.
Another interception high up the pitch in the 32nd minute created the second goal with Connor Metcalfe winning possession to then set up Tete Yengi for a clinical finish.
Metcalfe was influential for the third goal eight minutes later, teeing up Nestory Irankunda for a firm hit past Abunada to settle the contest.
Iraq 0-0 Lebanon
Lebanon started well and forced Iraq goalkeeper Kumel Saadi to make a good save in the sixth minute to deny a solo effort from Hassan Kaafarani with Leonardo Shahin’s follow-up hitting the crossbar.
Aymen Hussein had a couple of first half efforts thwarted by Mostafar Matar with the Lebanon custodian earning the plaudits for a great save to stop Amir Al Ammari’s long range strike in the second half as the teams shared the spoils.
Kuwait 3-0 Syria
Kuwait opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through Shabaib Al Khaldi with Eid Al Rashedi doubling their advantage 11 minutes later through a well-executed counter attacking move.
Murad Abdulaziz broke free in the box to nod home in the 71st minute to seal a comprehensive win for Kuwait.
UAE 3-1 Honduras
UAE struck in the 33rd minute when Ruben Canedo delivered the perfect cross from a free-kick for Khalifa Al Hammadi to thump a header home. Ali Saleh’s through pass for Bruno Oliveira three minutes into the second half was inch-perfect with the forward producing a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Honduras pulled a goal back through Jonathan Rubio in the 52nd minute and for a long time UAE looked to be under pressure before Mohammed Al Mansouri settled the nerves by tapping home the third in the 87th minute.
Singapore 1-4 Paraguay
Singapore went behind in the seventh minute when Alexandro Maidana’s cross was headed home by Gustavo Caballero but the Southeast Asian side fought back to level the tie in the 30th minute through Song Ui-young’s glancing header.
Paraguay made Singapore pay for missing good opportunities, regaining the lead in the 45th minute through Mauricio Magalhaes’ strike.
The second half belonged to the South Americans with Caballero adding another in the 53rd minute before Ipswich Town midfielder Julio Enciso came off the bench to score thevfourth in the 81st minute.
Photo: Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Related News
- International Friendlies
Uzbekistan, India suffer defeats
- AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup
Thailand 2026: Know the Group A teams
- FIFA U-17 World Cup
Know your team: Qatar
- Women's Olympic Games
LA28 hopefuls learn qualification path
- AFC Champions League Two
#ACLTwo - Vote for your Top Goals of Matchday Three presented by VISA
Item 1 of 5