Saudi had the chance to qualify easily by beating Oman. Most Twitter users were, however, doubtful that the Saudi team would make it to the next round.
Twitter users were not optimistic when they heard the match referee was Iranian, fearing that he might be biased against Saudi Arabia.
A Twitter user urged all the people who have important business to do it during the game because the streets would be empty.
Twitter users immediately provided minute-by-minute updates on the match using a special hashtag #mont5ab.
Some users started making jokes about the nice suit of the Saudi coach, saying that he was dressed for a wedding ceremony.
The users began to lose interest in the game when the first half ended 0-0. Users began doubting that the team would win the match and qualify for the next round.
Halfway in the second half, users were split into optimists and pessimists. Some asked fans to brace themselves for another disappointment, while others said the Saudi team will deliver.
Users began criticizing the tactics of the Saudi coach. Twitter users also commended the Omani goalkeeper who managed to keep his net clean and saved many chances.
Twitter users described him as a man with magnetic hands.
When the match seemed to be slipping away and hopes for an early qualification to the next round were diminishing, one of the users said the best thing he saw in the match was the advertising signs for popular restaurant chain Al-Baik in the stadium, since he is a Riyadh resident and there are no branches in the city.
