The weather in Saudi Arabia was not quite what Roberto Mancini would have envisaged upon his competitive debut with his new side, but still they did enough to open 2026 World Cup qualification with victory against Pakistan.
The Gulf side, seeking to make a third successive global finals, opened their second-round campaign on Thursday night with a 4-0 win at the new Al Fateh Club Stadium in Al Ahsa.
Yet it was the weather that played a principal part in the evening’s encounter, with the rain and strong winds battering play - and the dugouts.
Mancini, appointed in August as Herve Renard’s permanent successor, spent most of the match wrapped up in a Saudi national-team-issue raincoat.
Speaking afterwards, the former Manchester City and Italy manager, said: "In Italy, the rain is a good omen for us... and we achieved what we wanted from the match.”
Saleh Al Shehri, scorer in last November’s famous World Cup triumph against Argentina, grabbed the opening two goals for Saudi Arabia, striking in the sixth minute and then right after half-time.
However, the six-time World Cup participants had to wait until injury time to add to their tally, through goals from Al Nassr’s Abdulrahman Ghaneem and Al Shabab’s Abdullah Radif.
The win meant they kicked off Group G with maximum points, with Tajikistan and Jordan playing out a 1-1 draw in the pool’s other match.
The match in Al Ahsa not only represented Mancini’s first competitive game, but also provided his first victory in five matches since taking charge.
It marked, too, the national team’s first win since that "crazy" success against Argentina in Qatar – 12 months ago.
Saudi Arabia are next in action on Tuesday, against Jordan in Amman, while Pakistan host Tajikistan at the Jinnah Sports Stadium in Islamabad.
The top two teams in the group book a place in the third round, where Asia’s leading 18 sides compete for eight spots at the expanded 2026 World Cup.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
Scores
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand
