Referee Spotlight: Kuwait Praises Officials After Saudi Arabia's 3-2 Win Over Indonesia
9 October 2025
Kuwait FA lauds officiating team after Saudi-Arabia vs Indonesia playoff
The Kuwait Football Association stirred debate by honoring the officiating crew that led the Asian World Cup Qualifier playoff between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, led by referee Ahmed Al Ali.
The match, staged at Al-Enma Stadium, ended 3-2 in favor of the Green Falcons, with several calls reviewed by VAR and the late drama shaping the result.
In a statement cited by the Saudi sports daily Al-Riyadiyah, Kuwait’s president Sheikh Ahmed Al-Youssef Al-Sabah congratulated Ahmed Al Ali and his assistants Abdulhadi Al-Anzi and Ahmed Sadik, as well as Ammar Ashkenani, the fourth official, and VAR officials Abdullah Jamali and Abdullah Al-Kandari for a stellar showing.
He added that the federation would honor the team for guiding the match at a high level.
The match also saw a wave of criticism toward Al Ali after a red card shown to Saudi midfielder Mohammed Kanno, following an earlier booking and a controversial finish.
Controversial calls and the red card’s impact
The game featured several controversial decisions, including two Indonesian penalties and a Saudi penalty, all awarded after video review.
The most talked-about moment came in stoppage time when Al Ali sent off Kanno for a second booking after an earlier caution for delaying play and a later reaction to the decision.
Kanno’s dismissal means he will miss the upcoming second group match versus Iraq in the Asian playoff for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the card, reactions were mixed: some Saudi pundits criticized the referee, while others defended the officials' handling of the game.
Former Saudi star Yasser Al-Qahtani criticized the timing and warned about the physical test ahead, while manager Hervé Renard refused to fault the referee, preferring to focus on the next match.
Patrick Kluivert, the Dutch legend, also praised the officials, saying they did not commit major errors in the game.
Disciplinary proceedings could follow, with reports suggesting the AFC’s disciplinary committee will review the incident and the referee’s report detailing Kanno’s conduct during the match.
In short, the night delivered drama, stakes, and a reminder that officiating pressure accompanies top-level football, even when the crowd wants a different call.
Punchline 1: If VAR had a sense of humor, it would keep replaying the same moment until you admit you were right—or wrong, depending on the chair you sit in.
Punchline 2: My official stance on referees? If they had a whistle in a game of hide and seek, the red cards would come sooner than the players!
