By Michael Church
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia will look to rekindle past glories when they take on Australia in Asia’s World Cup preliminaries in Melbourne on Thursday with the Green Falcons aiming to move on from the lacklustre Roberto Mancini era with the return of Herve Renard.
Renard is back at the helm for the first time since replacing the Italian last month after Mancini and the Saudis ended an often awkward 14-month dalliance.
One win, two draws and a loss in four games in the third phase of the continent’s qualifiers for the 2026 finals has left the Saudis in third place in Group C, trailing second-placed Australia on goal difference and leaders Japan by five points.
Only the top two finishers in each of Asia’s three preliminary groups qualify automatically for the finals with the third and fourth placed sides advancing to another round, and the Saudis are desperate to ensure guaranteed progress.
It was Renard who was at the helm when Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in the nations’ opening game at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the win a high point of an initial three-and-a-half year long tenure for the former Zambia coach.
For his return Renard will be without the talismanic Salem Al-Dawsari, the winger who scored the winning goal against Argentina, after the Al-Hilal man pulled out due to injury although veteran midfielder Salman Al-Faraj has been recalled.
The Saudis face a Socceroos side boosted last month when Tony Popovic took over from Graham Arnold to pick up four points from games against China and Japan and Renard will be hoping for a similar return against Australia and Indonesia next Tuesday.
The Japanese lead the standings and face the Indonesians on Friday having received a raucous reception upon their arrival in Jakarta on Monday. Bahrain host China in the group’s other game.
“I’ve never seen something like this,” defender Yuto Nagatomo said upon arrival, according to Japanese media. “There was a big commotion at the airport, and I felt a bit like a Hollywood star.”
Reigning Asian champions Qatar face a crucial meeting with Uzbekistan in Group A that Tintin Marquez’s side must win to reignite their challenge for an automatic berth.
Qatar are six points behind leaders Iran, who take on North Korea in Laos, and Uzbekistan while third placed United Arab Emirates, currently level on four points with the Qataris, entertain Kyrgyzstan.
Group B leaders South Korea travel to face Kuwait holding a three point advantage over Iraq and Jordan, who meet one another in Basra, with Oman hosting Palestine in Muscat.
(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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