Group C: Australia 0-0 Saudi Arabia

It was a result neither would have been pleased with as the draw took both to six points at the midway stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
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Australia came close to a breakthrough 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 thwarted by the defensive wall.

Saudi Arabia responded with Yasir Al Shahrani sending a cross in for Marwan Al Sahafi but the danger was well cleared by Christian Burgess.
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Australia’s pressure on the Saudi Arabia’s defence yielded another free-kick for the home side in the 17th minute with Lewis Miller’s header off Hrustic’s set-piece going close at the near post, before Harry Souttar skied the follow-up.
Saudi Arabia ramped up their intensity and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute when Saleh Al Shehri played the ball on for Nasser Al Dawsari, who sliced through the Australian defence before forcing Australia goalkeeper Joe Gauci into a fine save at the near post.
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Australia wasted two clear cut chances from inside the box with Miller seeing his header blocked in the 33rd minute, while Hrustic failed to find the target following Miller’s set-up three minutes later.

The Socceroos came close to taking the lead in the 45th minute when Aiden O’Neill’s tackle on Nasser Al Dawsari opened up space for Mitch Duke to lay the ball for Hrustic, whose grounded effort was easily dealt by Saudi Arabia keeper Ahmed Al Kassar.

Jackson Irvine almost found a way through in the closing seconds of the first half after exchanging passes with Duke, only to see his shot sail over the bar.
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Saudi Arabia threatened a minute into the restart with Al Shehri trying his luck from just above a packed six-yard-box, before Australia regained possession with Riley McGree and Duke both missing from inside the box.

With the clock winding down, Australia were through on goal in the 83rd minute after Miller sent a well-timed pass to Brandon Borrello, who advanced into the box only for Saud Abdulhamid to launch a deft tackle to clear the ball away from McGree’s feet.
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At the other end, Saudi Arabia threatened through Abdullah Al Hamddan who cut inside the box but an alert Burgess came to Australia’s rescue with a clearance.

Saudi Arabia thought they had scored the winner in added time after Sultan Al Ghannam turned in Burgess’ clearance into the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Australia take on Bahrain on Matchday Six, while Saudi Arabia face Indonesia.