Saudi Arabia kicked off its Sand Marathon campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tajikistan in a fiery opening match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Friday evening.
The match began at a high tempo, with both teams creating early chances. The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute when Saudi midfielder Mukhtar Ali found the back of the net with a precise shot, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Tajikistan responded with intensity, pushing for an equalizer. Their persistence paid off just before halftime, as Ehson Panjshanbe capitalized on a defensive lapse to level the score at 1-1 in the 42nd minute.
The second half saw Saudi Arabia increase the pressure. The decisive moment came in the 64th minute. A well-worked team move ended with forward Firas Al-Buraikan firing home from inside the box to restore the host nation’s lead at 2-1.
The closing stages were tense, with Tajikistan pressing for another equalizer, but the Saudi defense, led by captain Hassan Tambakti, held firm to secure all three points. The match was a physical encounter, with the referee showing several yellow cards to players from both sides.
In a post-match statement, Saudi coach Saad Al-Shehri praised his team’s character. “It was a very tough match, as we expected,” he said. “The players showed great spirit to regain the lead and secure the win, which is crucial for the start of our journey in this tournament.”
This victory gives Saudi Arabia a perfect start in the Sand Marathon group stage. Their next challenge will be against Jordan, while Tajikistan will look to bounce back against Oman.
