JEDDAH: World Cup-bound Saudi Arabian national team hammered out an emphatic 5-2 victory over Jamaica Saturday night in an international friendly at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on the outskirts of Jeddah.
It was the first tuneup game for the Saudis since they qualified for FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia next year by beating Japan 1-0 at the close of the Asian qualifying last month in Jeddah.
Salem Al-Dossary opened the account for the Kingdom with a goal in the second minute.
The Saudis sat on a 3-1 lead at halftime. Mohamed Al-Berik struck with a goal at resumption for the host team before Marvin Morgan pulled one back for Jamaica. Abdullah Al-Joui tallied Saudi Arabia’s fifth goal in added time.
Jamiel Hardware scored on 35 minutes to restore parity before Hazza Al-Hazza put the hosts back in the lead three minutes later. Salman Al-Farj opened a two-goal lead for the Saudis at the turn. Coached by Argentinian Edgardo Bauza, who took over from Dutchman Bert van Marwijk, Saudi Arabia qualified outright for Russia 2018 alongside Iran, South Korea and Japan.
It was the first tuneup game for the Saudis since they qualified for FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia next year by beating Japan 1-0 at the close of the Asian qualifying last month in Jeddah.
Salem Al-Dossary opened the account for the Kingdom with a goal in the second minute.
The Saudis sat on a 3-1 lead at halftime. Mohamed Al-Berik struck with a goal at resumption for the host team before Marvin Morgan pulled one back for Jamaica. Abdullah Al-Joui tallied Saudi Arabia’s fifth goal in added time.
Jamiel Hardware scored on 35 minutes to restore parity before Hazza Al-Hazza put the hosts back in the lead three minutes later. Salman Al-Farj opened a two-goal lead for the Saudis at the turn. Coached by Argentinian Edgardo Bauza, who took over from Dutchman Bert van Marwijk, Saudi Arabia qualified outright for Russia 2018 alongside Iran, South Korea and Japan.
