Marwan Al-Sahafi delivers first Saudi Arabia goal as Roberto Mancini’s legacy begins to show

Marwan Al-Sahafi scored his first international goal as Saudi Arabia drew first blood against South Korea in Doha, more than two years after Roberto Mancini handed him his debut for the national team.

The Al-Ittihad winger struck in first-half stoppage time during Saudi Arabia’s friendly against South Korea at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Friday, the opening match of their current international break.

Al-Sahafi controlled a precise through ball from Al-Nassr striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, rounded the South Korean goalkeeper and finished into an empty net.

It was the 17th appearance of his Saudi Arabia career but his first goal for the national side.

Al-Sahafi was first called up in June 2024 by then-manager Mancini, when he was 20 and regarded as one of the emerging talents at Al-Ittihad. Mancini subsequently brought him on during Saudi Arabia’s 3-0 victory over Pakistan in 2026 World Cup qualifying.

That opportunity was followed by a loan move to Belgian club Beerschot before Al-Sahafi returned to Al-Ittihad during the previous summer transfer window.

Primarily a right winger, Al-Sahafi can also operate on the left. It was from that side that he began the move which led to his goal against South Korea.

The match was the 19th meeting between the two countries in friendly and competitive football, dating back to their first encounter in 1980. In the previous 18 fixtures, Saudi Arabia had won five, South Korea six and seven had ended in draws.

Saudi Arabia’s last victory came 21 years ago, in 2005, when they defeated South Korea 2-0 and 1-0 in the two legs of their 2006 World Cup qualifying tie.

Since then, the teams have met six times without a Saudi victory. South Korea have won twice, while the other four matches ended level.

Friday’s fixture was the seventh friendly between the sides. South Korea had won two of the previous six, Saudi Arabia one, with three draws.

Saudi Arabia’s most notable victory over South Korea came in the semi-finals of the 2000 Asian Cup, when Talal Al-Meshal scored both goals in a 2-1 win.

Their most recent competitive meeting was in the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup. The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes before South Korea won on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.

Saudi Arabia will play another friendly in their current Doha camp on Tuesday, when they face Uzbekistan.