Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain

Analysis Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain
Roberto Mancini will look for his Saudi team to bounce back against Bahrain on Tuesday night after last week's 2-0 loss to Japan. (AN Photo)
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Updated 15 October 2024
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Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain

Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain
  • After last week’s 2-0 loss to Japan, the Green Falcons cannot afford another slip as they sit third in Group C of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s World Cup qualifier with Bahrain in Jeddah on Tuesday is just one out of 10 games for Roberto Mancini’s team in Group C but there is already a feeling that this is a must-win clash in more ways than one.

The first and biggest is that the Green Falcons need the points after a mixed start in the first three games of the third round of qualification. A 1-1 draw against Indonesia was followed by a 2-1 win over China in September.

And then, last week, Japan came to King Abdullah Sports City and went home with a 2-0 victory. As things stand, Saudi Arabia are third, level on four points with Australia in second, and Bahrain in fourth.

Only the top two qualify automatically for the World Cup while third and fourth advance to the next stage. Japan have nine and are surely heading for first place. Mancini admitted as such.

“We knew Japan were strong contenders to top the group, and now we will focus on competing with Australia for second place,” he said.

At this stage, the Italian will probably feel that his team are three points short. Mancini would have wanted and expected a win against Indonesia and a draw against Japan.

Had that been the case then they would have been three points clear of Australia. With the Socceroos playing in Japan on Tuesday and likely to lose, a win against Bahrain would have put Saudi Arabia six clear.

That would have been a fantastic position to be in but there is no point thinking too much about that now. The focus has to be on beating their neighbors and hoping they end Tuesday three points clear in second.

Mancini also needs a win and solid performance to lift the mood. Losing to Japan is no disgrace. The Samurai Blue are the best team in Asia by some distance, but their clear cohesion, identity and playing style was in contrast to that of Saudi Arabia’s.

Mancini, at just over a year in the job, has still to stamp his identity on the team and there are doubts as to whether he has the players really believing in his methods. Any sign of progress in this regard against Bahrain would be welcome.

Ever since the start of the year and the Asian Cup, there has not been much to shout about.

Before the tournament started Mancini dropped a bombshell. Veteran Salman Al-Faraj and Sultan Al-Ghannam were left out of the preliminary list, then goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi was excluded from the final squad.

The coach accused them of not wanting to play in friendly games. The Asian Cup ended at the last-16 stage with the boss leaving the pitch and heading down the tunnel before the penalty shootout against South Korea had ended.

It is fair to say that there has yet to be a really exciting, impressive or surprising performance under Mancini, the former English Premier League-, Serie A- and European Championship-winning coach.

His willingness to look outside the big clubs for talent and also trust in youth has been refreshing but he has complained on multiple occasions about the lack of playing time that several players are getting at their clubs.

“The only problem we have, three years ago all the Saudi players played every game,” he said. “Today, 50, 60 percent don’t play in the game and this is the only problem that we have.”

The coach has a point. There are players who have found themselves down the pecking order as their clubs have signed world-class foreign talent. This is especially evident at both ends of the pitch: goalkeepers and attackers.

Firas Al-Buraikan has been a regular for Al-Ahli and Abdullah Radif has played a reasonable amount for Al-Hilal, but Saleh Al-Shehri has had little time with Ittihad and Mohammed Maran has barely featured.

It is not ideal but it is what it is and Mancini’s job is to get the best out of what is available to him.

It has not happened yet. In three games, there have been three goals: one own goal and two set pieces. Against Japan, they played with an unfamiliar four-man defense, did not look like scoring and there were issues at the back but they were against a very good team.

Now this is Bahrain and fans will be less accepting of excuses.

Even so, Bahrain won in Australia in the opening game, sitting back to frustrate the Socceroos and then hitting on the counter, and that may well be their approach in Jeddah.

They later lost 5-0 at home to Japan and then needed a 99th-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 with Indonesia.

Compared to the passing and movement of the Samurai Blue, this is going to be a more physical test for Saudi Arabia and it should be one they are more suited to.

It has to be because one thing is for sure, this is a must-win game not just for the hopes of a top-two finish but for Mancini’s future in the job.

A scrappy 1-0 victory would be enough but a free-flowing performance and a convincing win would go down as well as the sun over the Red Sea.


Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah

Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah
Updated 16 sec ago
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Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah

Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah
  • The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title
  • The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of 8th or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take 5th at the Saudi venue

JEDDAH: French racers Robert Consani and Benjamin Lariche secured a fourth successive GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club victory by taking Saturday’s season finale in Jeddah.
However, the win was not enough to stop Tom Lebbon and Josh Rattican from being crowned 2024 Silver class champions, said a media statement.
The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title and did exactly that thanks to another inch-perfect performance.
The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of eighth or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take fifth at the Saudi venue.
Meanwhile, NM Racing Team bagged the Pro-Am win, while a third-place result was enough to seal the class crown for Finn Zulauf and Max Kronberg (#30 W&S Motorsport Porsche). Am honors went to Kevin Jimenez and Florent Grizaud (#72 GPA Racing Aston Martin), who triumphed for a second time this term.
Speedcar Audi had qualified on pole, but started fourth on the grid following a penalty for Consani blocking a rival car during qualifying. The Frenchman wasted no time in returning to the front, immediately jumping to third before passing both the pole-sitting #77 Elite Motorsport McLaren and the #17 L’Espace Bienvenue BMW on successive laps.
As the race settled down the #3 Audi established an advantage at the head of the field and remained in control following a full-course yellow and safety car intervention.
Behind, the #17 BMW held on to second ahead of the #77 McLaren, the #62 Academy Motorsport Ford and the #78 McLaren.
The front two remained unchanged after the pit window, while the Ford leapfrogged the #77 for third spot. Now in the hands of Lariche, the Audi stretched its advantage significantly during the second half. Indeed, by the time the checkered flag fell the Frenchman was more than 11 seconds clear of the #17 BMW.
The Team Speedcar crew had done everything they could to snatch the title.
With the Audi disappearing up the road, attention switched to the progress of the #78 McLaren, which was driven by Rattican during the second stint.
He lost a place to the #82 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin of Jamie Day, who also overhauled the #77 McLaren a few laps later. The #78 then passed the sister car, which had been handed a five-second track limits penalty.
Rattican could have cruised to the finish, but instead spent the closing minutes in a close-fought battle for the final spot on the podium, which ultimately went to the #82 Aston Martin after a last-lap pass on the #62 Ford.
There were nervous faces in the Elite garage, but the McLaren squad could breathe a sigh of relief when Rattican crossed the line in fifth to seal the Silver title.
The GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club will return on Apr. 11-13 when Circuit Paul Ricard launches another season of multi-class racing.


Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit

Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit
Updated 13 min 49 sec ago
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Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit

Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit
  • BMW driver competing in Saudi Arabia for first time says: ‘I really like the atmosphere’
  • Rossi chasing victory in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe final round

JEDDAH: After finishing his opening laps on Jeddah Corniche on the first day of the final round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, Italian race car driver and former motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi said that racing at the Jeddah Circuit is both an exciting and challenging experience.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the day, Rossi said that he enjoyed the experience behind the wheel on the fastest street circuit in the world.
“First of all, let me say that this is my first time in Saudi Arabia and I really like the atmosphere. We are really enjoying our stay while competing.
“Regarding the circuit, it is surrounded by walls as it is a street circuit, which makes the race more difficult with 49 cars racing on the circuit at the same time.
The Italian racing legend — known as “The Doctor” because of his clinical dismantling of opponents — said: “My first impression was OK. It is very slippery and you have to go fast between the walls, but in the end we got used to it through the last two days since we arrived.”
He added: “It is well known that street circuits often require extra effort from drivers. The walls are very close to the track.”
The BMW factory driver told Arab News that he is enjoying competing in the GT World Challenge Europe, and hopes to continue with a positive result on the final day on Saturday.
“We really had a good season and our performance is getting better in the hope to bring a successful result Saturday night,” he said.
The seven-time MotoGP world champion retired from MotoGP in 2021, and is currently competing in both the World Endurance Championship and the GT World Challenge Europe for BMW.


Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq

Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq
Updated 29 min 13 sec ago
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Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq

Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq
  • In his first league appearance after missing the last four games through injury, the French forward had the ball in the net after 27 minutes

JEDDAH: Karim Benzema returned to action in style Saturday as Al-Ittihad won 4-0 at Ettifaq, scoring one and recording two assists to help the leaders stay on top of the Saudi Pro League.

In his first league appearance after missing the last four games through injury, the French forward had the ball in the net after 27 minutes. A beautiful short pass inside the area from N’Golo Kante took out three defenders to leave Benzema to sweep home from close range but VAR ruled that he had been just offside.

The roles were reversed eight minutes later and this time the goal stood. Benzema picked up possession in a crowded situation just outside the area, slipped a little pass to his right for Kante to burst into the box in a central occasion to fire home a low shot.

Eight minutes after the restart, Benzema got his goal. Marek Rodak got down well to save a fierce shot from Steven Bergwijn and there was the French striker to show his goal scoring instinct to pounce upon the rebound to put the ball into an empty net. It was a ninth goal of the season that puts him level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the standings, three behind Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Two more goals came in quick succession midway through the second half. After 66 minutes Houssem Aouar made it three and then Bergwijn added to Ettifaq’s pain four minutes later, running clear of the defence to score after a fine pass from Benzema.

It was harsh on the home team who have now gone nine league games without a win. The pressure was already on head coach Steven Gerrard but the Liverpool legend and his team are now just three points clear of the relegation zone. Next comes a tricky away trip to Al-Khaleej.

Al-Ittihad meanwhile are riding high.


Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas

Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas
Updated 30 November 2024
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Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas

Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas
  • Barcelona had played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick
  • They have now gone three rounds of La Liga without a win

BARCELONA: Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Spanish league leader were stunned 2-1 by Las Palmas on Saturday.
Barcelona had played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick and were flying high after convincing victories over Real Madrid in the domestic competition and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
They had won all eight home games overall.
But they have now gone three rounds of La Liga without a win. Prior to the loss to Las Palmas, they fell 1-0 at Real Sociedad and drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo.
Madrid, despite their own troubles especially in the Champions League, can now move ahead of Barcelona in the Spanish league. They trail Barcelona by four points with two games more to play.
Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva scored for the Canary Islands club on either side of Raphina’s equalizer.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal returned from a right ankle injury that had sidelined with for three weeks as a halftime substitute, but Jasper Cillessen saved his best shot. The Las Palmas goalkeeper also did well to palm a Raphinha free kick over his bar in the final minutes.


Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
Updated 30 November 2024
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Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
  • Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second

LUSAIL, Qatar: McLaren neared its first Formula 1 constructors’ title in 26 years as Lando Norris handed Oscar Piastri victory in a one-two finish for the team in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday.
Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second.
Norris gave the lead to Piastri with the finish line in sight, paying his teammate back for gifting him a win in the sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Russell finished third.
Verstappen — crowned the drivers’ champion last week in Las Vegas — finished eighth and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was last after a pit stop to change his car’s nose.
Qualifying takes place later Saturday for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.