Saudi Arabia Vs Indonesia

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Saudi Arabia will host Indonesia in the opening round of fixtures for the third round of AFC 2026 World Cup qualifying on Thursday. Following their appearance at the last two editions of international football's most prestigious tournament, Saudi Arabia is once again setting its sights on qualifying for the World Cup. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, Saudi Arabia, a football powerhouse in the region, is expected to perform well in these qualifiers. However, the challenge is heightened with the presence of tough competition in their group.

A New Era with Mancini: The Challenge Ahead

Italian football icon Roberto Mancini, who famously led Italy to victory at Euro 2020, is now at the helm of the Saudi Arabian national team. Since leaving Italy for the Middle Eastern giants last year, Mancini's tenure has come under increasing scrutiny due to an unremarkable start. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation hired Mancini with high hopes of elevating their team on the world stage, particularly given their recent history of qualifying for back-to-back World Cups. However, the former Azzurri coach has faced challenges in improving results, which has led to questions about his ability to lead the Green Falcons to North America in 2026.

Saudi Arabia’s performance under Mancini so far has been mixed, to say the least. The team stumbled during the previous round of AFC qualifying and suffered a disappointing campaign in the Asian Cup. A loss to Jordan and a draw against Tajikistan in their last international outings further dented the team's standing, sparking concern among fans and analysts alike. Nevertheless, Mancini remains a revered tactician with a proven track record, and there is optimism that he can turn things around. Securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup is his primary objective, and anything less would be considered a failure.

The Expanded AFC Qualification Format

With the expansion of both the AFC qualifying section and the World Cup itself, more teams have an opportunity to book their place at football's biggest event. The new qualification structure provides additional breathing room for teams from the Asian continent. However, for top-tier nations like Saudi Arabia, the expectation remains the same: securing one of the direct spots available without having to go through additional rounds or playoffs.

In the third round of AFC qualification, 12 teams are divided into two groups, and the top two teams from each group will progress directly to the fifth round. Given Saudi Arabia’s status as one of the continent's footballing powerhouses, automatic qualification is a must. But it won’t be easy, as their group includes formidable opposition in the form of Japan and Australia—two teams that are perennial contenders for World Cup spots. Avoiding slip-ups against lower-ranked teams like Indonesia will be essential if they are to secure one of those coveted spots.

Despite a tough group, Saudi Arabia's prospects of advancing seem realistic, though they will need to improve on their recent performances. The Saudis lost in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup and finished second behind Jordan in the group stage of the previous round of World Cup qualifiers, which was far below their usual standards. Their loss to Jordan at home was particularly damaging, and the draw with Tajikistan compounded their problems. Yet, despite these setbacks, the Saudis have the quality and the experience needed to bounce back in this third round.

Mancini's Underwhelming Start: Can He Turn Things Around?

When Roberto Mancini took charge of the Saudi national team, there was widespread excitement about what he could bring to the squad. Known for his tactical astuteness and his success with Italy, many believed he would lead Saudi Arabia to new heights. However, his first four games in charge failed to deliver the results expected from a team of Saudi Arabia's caliber. The lack of wins in these opening matches has placed immense pressure on the Italian manager, and fans are starting to grow impatient.

That said, it is not uncommon for a team to struggle under a new coach as they adapt to different tactical approaches and philosophies. Mancini’s transition from European football to the Asian game was always going to take time. His focus will now be on ensuring that Saudi Arabia qualifies for the 2026 World Cup—a task that, if achieved, would swiftly erase memories of his sluggish start.

Given the current state of Saudi football, anything short of a victory against Indonesia would be seen as a disaster. Indonesia is the lowest-ranked team in the group, and Mancini’s side will need to secure three points to kick off their campaign on the right note.