FIFA Arab Cup: Saudi Arabia eliminate Comoros

A 1-3 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Friday eliminated Comoros from contention to qualify for the knockout stages at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.

Salem Al Dawsari’s outstanding individual effort put the Saudi team beyond reach and condemned Les Coelacanthes to a second defeat from two matches, leaving them at the bottom of Group B. The result eliminates the island nation ahead of their Group B finale against Oman on Monday.

Making their debut at the finals of the competition, Comoros showed notable improvement after a meek effort in a 1-3 defeat to Morocco in their group opener. A better defensive effort allowed the African representatives to create moments of danger on the counter-attack against the heavily favorites and it appeared that the match would be scoreless by halftime.

However, a mistake allowed the Gulf regional giants to move ahead. Attempting to keep a loose ball from crossing the end line for a corner kick, Coelacanths goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou dove to collect and spilled the ball back into play. Setting into motion a chaotic sequence, the goalkeeper paid the price when Mohamed Kanno arrived at the far post to head in from a left wing cross by Al Dawsari.

The islanders never quite recovered. The same two players combined to double the lead shortly after halftime and it was an uphill task for the underdogs to stage a comeback.

Veteran forward Ibroihim Youssouf pulled a goal back for Comoros soon after and their hopes of earning a point were revived before Al Dawsari struck in the 81st minute. A dynamic dribble run down the left wing saw the Al Hilal midfielder maneuver past multiple defenders before cutting inside to fire past Anzimati-Aboudou.

Saudi Arabia remain perfect through two matches ahead of Monday’s Group B finale against Morocco, who are two points back following a 0-0 draw earlier on Friday. Comoros will look to end their inaugural tournament campaign with a victory against a more manageable opponent, Oman.