Referee Sparks controversy as Kanno’s red card steals the Saudi-Indonesia qualifiers spotlight

Match recap and controversy

Yasser Al-Qahtani, the former Saudi football star, criticized Kuwaiti referee Ahmed Al-Ali who oversaw the Saudi-Indonesia AFC Asian qualifiers match in Jeddah. He observed that although Saudi Arabia secured an important qualifying win, the game shifted from a straightforward victory to a hard-fought test, underscoring the physical demands facing the team.

In televised remarks after the game, Al-Qahtani said the squad showed resilience but must manage pace and intensity as the campaign progresses. He noted that Saudi’s start was slow and that they only found their footing later, turning the tide in the second half.

He added that the referee largely officiated well, but he argued the red card shown to Mohammed Kanno was overly aggressive, suggesting a calmer approach would have been more appropriate given the high-stakes context of the match.

Al-Qahtani also emphasized that Kanno did not commit a serious foul against the official and pointed to rougher Indonesian challenges that should have been met with stricter officiating.

Kanuo out for Iraq clash

The comments followed news that Kanno would miss Saudi Arabia’s next fixture against Iraq in the second group stage match of the Asia playoff for the 2026 World Cup after his red card against Indonesia.

Saudi Arabia’s victory keeps them atop Group B with three valuable points, with Ibrahim’s team set to face Iraq in the same venue in Jeddah on the coming Tuesday, in a test that could settle group leadership and a direct World Cup berth.

The Saudi edge

Saudi Arabia made a giant leap toward the 2026 World Cup as they came from behind to beat Indonesia 3-2 in the evening’s clash. Indonesia opened the scoring in the 11th minute via a Kevin Dex penalty; Saudi equalized in the 17th minute, with a second-half penalty converted in the 36th, then extended the lead in the 61st. How Indonesia responded in the final minutes with a second penalty in the 88th minute was a reminder that football can be a roller-coaster ride.

With this result, the Green Falcons now sit at the head of Group B and look ahead to the match against Iraq, hoping to solidify top spot and a direct path to Qatar 2026.

The tougher test ahead

The Iraq game looms as a real test for Saudi Arabia, as West Asian powerhouses generally provide a stern foil in playoff contexts. Iraq’s attackers, led by prominent forwards, pose real danger, and the Saudis will need to maximize opportunities and minimize defensive lapses to maintain momentum.

The two teams have a long history of competitive encounters, and current form suggests Saudi Arabia will field a strong side with the aim of seizing control early and avoiding defensive lapses that could invite comeback attempts from Iraq.

Upcoming context

The AFC later announced a schedule adjustment for the Saudi-Iraq match, with kickoff moved to 9:45 pm local time to accommodate scheduling considerations. The next rendezvous is set for October 14 in Jeddah, a fixture that could decide who narrowly advances from the group stage in Asia’s World Cup playoff route.

In the broader arc of qualification, this match underscored the fragility and drama of playoff football, where momentum can swing on a single moment, and where refereeing decisions, even when broadly solid, can become the talking point long after the final whistle.

Back to the gear shift

Saudi Arabia’s path to the World Cup 2026 continues to look promising, but the road is littered with physical tests and tactical challenges that require concentration, discipline, and a touch of luck. The team will hope the support, fitness, and cohesion hold up as the pressure intensifies.

Punchline time: If this match were a sniper’s demo reel, the camera would never stop—the whistle did most of the talking, and the drama did the rest.

Punchline two: My football analysis notebook just got a red card—some pages are now in witness protection until the next matchday.