A crucial second-half equaliser from Firas Al-Buraikan secured Saudi Arabia a 1-1 draw against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, a result that ensures the guest nation’s progression to the knockout stages of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The draw saw Saudi Arabia finish second in Group D with four points (1-1-1 record), behind group winners the United States, who completed a perfect group stage. A victory would have seen Trinidad and Tobago leapfrog the Saudis into the second qualifying spot.
Trinidad and Tobago took an early lead in the 10th minute when Dante Sealy scored with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the penalty area.
Hervé Renard’s Saudi side pushed for a way back into the match, and their persistence was rewarded with the vital tying goal. A shot from Saleh Al-Shehri struck the crossbar, and Firas Al-Buraikan was quickest to react to the rebound, tapping the ball into the net past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.
The Soca Warriors came agonizingly close to a late winner that would have sent them through. In the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, Justin Garcia’s point-blank shot from the center of the box cannoned off the crossbar.
Saudi Arabia held on for the vital point, securing their place in the quarter-finals of the North and Central American and Caribbean championship.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.