Red Card Shock Unsettles Saudi World Cup Quest: Kano's Late Send-Off Rocks Indonesia Clash
9 October 2025
What happened on the field
Saudi press reports a fresh development in Mohammed Kanno’s dismissal against Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers playoff. Kanno came on as a substitute for captain Salem Al-Dawsari in the 89th minute and was shown a red card in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow for delaying a throw-in, then reacting to the decision.
According to Kuwaiti referee Ahmed Al-Ali’s match report, the action that led to the sending-off is noted, and the incident will be reviewed by the AFC Disciplinary Committee, which could impose further sanctions if the committee deems the conduct toward the official unsportsmanlike.
The game ended 3-2 in favor of Saudi Arabia, but the late dismissal added fuel to debates about officiating and player conduct in a high-stakes qualifier.
Former Saudi star Yasser Al-Qahtani criticized the referee’s handling of the late moments, while stressing the team’s resilience in turning a tense situation into a crucial victory. He also cautioned that the next match against Iraq will demand discipline and focus from the-green-coloured squad.
Saudi officials and pundits noted that the red card could complicate Kanno’s availability for upcoming fixtures, including the clash with Iraq in the same playoff round, as disciplinary actions are reviewed. The incident is a reminder that every second in such qualifiers can swing fate with a single decision.
Under the AFC Asian Qualifiers system, group winners advance directly to the World Cup, while the runners-up face home-and-away ties; the winners then join the intercontinental playoff in March 2026 to determine the final two qualifiers. Tiebreakers include goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, and fair play.
As the spotlight shifts toward the administrative side, the night’s drama served as a case study in how refereeing, temperament, and timing can alter a qualifying campaign, even when the scoreboard is favorable.
Punchlines: If patience were a sport, the referee just sprinted to a new personal best. And if red cards had loyalty programs, Kanno would have earned a lifetime premium for clutch moments and dramatic exits.
