Saudi Arabia end 21-year wait with thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea

Saudi Arabia vs South Korea produced a five-goal thriller at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Friday. Saudi Arabia won 3-2, their first victory over South Korea in 21 years.

Georgios Donis’s side took the lead in first-half stoppage time. Abdullah Al-Hamdan dropped deep and played a fine pass to Al-Ittihad winger Marwan Al-Sahafi, who finished well. Remarkably, it was Al-Sahafi’s first goal for Saudi Arabia in 17 international appearances.

South Korea struck back almost immediately after half-time, with Oh Hyeon-gyu equalising in the 47th minute for his ninth international goal. Saudi Arabia then scored twice in three minutes. Mohamed Kanno restored the lead in the 56th minute, and Al-Nassr defender Abdulelah Al-Amri made it 3-1 in the 59th minute, heading in a corner from Al-Hilal’s Nasser Al-Dawsari.

Lee Jae-sung pulled one back for South Korea in the 68th minute, turning in a low cross past goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais. The Koreans pressed for an equaliser until the end, but Saudi Arabia held on.

The win ends a long run of frustration. Saudi Arabia’s last victory over South Korea came in 2005, when they beat them home and away in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. In the six meetings since, South Korea had won two and four had been drawn.

The result also levels the all-time record between the nations. In 19 meetings since 1980, both sides now have six wins, with seven draws. Saudi fans’ favourite win in the fixture remains the 2000 Asian Cup semi-final, when Talal Al-Meshal scored twice in a 2-1 victory.

For Donis, the timing could hardly be better. The Greek coach has faced reports that he could lose his job, with the name of Roberto Martinez mentioned as a possible replacement. The Saudi federation has said Donis will stay, and this result strengthens his position. Donis already led Saudi Arabia to the Gulf Cup 27 title in October.

For South Korea, now led by interim manager Robert Moreno, the defeat is a painful one. It is the first time in 42 years that they have conceded three goals against Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabia vs South Korea win gives the Green Falcons confidence as they build towards the 2027 Asian Cup on home soil. Saudi Arabia play Uzbekistan in their second Doha friendly on Tuesday, November 17, while South Korea face Qatar.