Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Nawaf Al Abid’s penalty six minutes from time earned Saudi Arabia a narrow 1-0 win over a spirited Thailand as Kiatisuk Senamuang’s side were denied a deserved point from their opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the King Fahd Stadium on Thursday.
Al Abid scored form the spot after Fahad Al Muwallad was brought down in the area by Sarach Yooyen in the dying minutes of the game; with Chinese referee Fu Ming pointing to the spot before Al Abid broke Thai hearts.
“We saw that the match was very difficult as we played an organised side who played with a defensive performance,” said Saudi coach Bert van Marwijk. “We had better control on the ball, especially in the first half and we controlled the match.
“We played well and we managed to score a goal which was enough for us while our opponents tried to go forward with counterattacks. We finished the match from one chance and this is football at the end of the day.”
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