MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.
While there was late drama there was little quality on display.
Near time, Sultan Al-Ghannam's low shot from just inside the area went in and seemed to give a vital win for Herve Renard, the second-time Saudi coach who replaced Roberto Mancini last month. To the relief of the majority of the 27,491 fans, the goal was disallowed for offside.
Australia was given a penalty after 12 minutes after Mitch Duke went down under a challenge from Saudi goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar but VAR ruled the foul was outside the area.
Saudi Arabia, like Australia aiming for a seventh World Cup appearance, went closest with a shot from Nasser Al-Dawsari forcing a save from Joe Gauci at the near post.
There were fewer opportunities in the second half, the best falling to Australia six minutes from the end. In a two-on-one situation inside the area, Riley McGree's goal-bound shot was blocked by Saud Abdulhamid.
Both teams remained level on six points from five games, four points behind Group C leader Japan.
Only the top two of six in each group will qualify automatically. The third- and fourth-place finishers will advance to the next stage.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Australia's Jason Geria, left, and Saudi Arabia's Saleh Al Shehr compete for the ball compete for the ball during the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Australia and Saudi Arabia in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)
Australia's Lewis Miller, left, and Saudi Arabia's Feras Albrikan compete for the ball during the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Australia and Saudi Arabia in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's government says it will not help an estimated 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country's North West province who have been denied access to basic supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining.
The miners in the mineshaft in Stilfontein are believed to be suffering from a lack of food, water and other basic necessities after police closed off the entrances used to transport their supplies underground.
It is part of the police’s Vala Umgodi, or Close the Hole, operation, which includes cutting off miners’ supplies to force them to return to the surface and be arrested.
North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said information received from those who recently helped bring three miners to the surface indicated that as many as 4,000 miners may be underground. Police have not provided an official estimate.
In the past few weeks, over 1,000 miners have surfaced at various mines in North West province, with many reported to be weak, hungry and sickly after going for weeks without basic supplies.
Police continue on Thursday to guard areas around the mine to catch all those appearing from underground.
Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told reporters on Wednesday that the government would not send any help to the illegal miners because they are involved in a criminal act.
“We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. Criminals are not to be helped. We didn’t send them there," Ntshavheni said.
Illegal mining remains common in South Africa's old gold-mining areas, with miners going into closed shafts to dig for any possible remaining deposits.
The illegal miners are often from neighboring countries, and police say the illegal operations involve larger syndicates that employ the miners.
Their presence in closed mines have also created problems with nearby communities, which complain that the illegal miners commit crimes ranging from robberies to rape.
Illegal mining groups are known to be heavily armed and disputes between rival groups sometimes result in fatal confrontations.
Police patrol at a mine shaft where an estimated 4000 illegal miners are trapped in a disused mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov.13, 2024. (AP Photo)
Relatives of miners and community members wait at a mine shaft where an estimated 4000 illegal miners are trapped in a disused mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov.13, 2024. (AP Photo)
An aerial view of a mine shaft where an estimated 4000 illegal miners are trapped in a disused mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov.13, 2024. (AP Photo)
