ADELAIDE — SAUDI Arabia’s national team have come in for criticism after appearing to snub a minute’s silence dedicated to two Australians who died in the recent London terror attacks, later issuing a formal apology.

Football Federation Australia applied to the Asian Football Confederation before the game to include the pre-game tribute, an act which was approved.

FFA released a statement after the game saying Saudi officials agreed to allow Australia to include the tribute, but that it was not in keeping with their traditions.

“The FFA sought agreement from the Asian Football Confederation and the Saudi national team to hold a minute’s silence in memory of those lost in Saturday night’s terror in London and in particular the two Australian women,” the statement read.

RATINGS: Ange’s wildcard who changed Roos’ WC fate

BLOG: Re-live all the drama of Socceroos v Saudi Arabia

EQUATION: What huge Roos win means for WCQ equation

MATCH CENTRE: Video of every big moment, stats from Roos win

REACTION: Ange’s bullish statement, half time talk explained

“Both the AFC and the Saudi team agreed that the minute of silence could be held. The FFA was further advised by Saudi team officials that this tradition was not in keeping with Saudi culture and they would move to their side of the field and respect our custom whilst taking their own positions on the field.”

A minute's silence before kick-off. Source: FOX SPORTS

Saudi Arabia players didn't stand together for a minute's silence Source: FOX SPORTS

After an angry response from the Australian public to the snub, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation issued an apology.

“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation deeply regrets and unreservedly apologises for any offence caused by the failure of some members of the representative team of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to formally observe the one minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the London terrorist attack on 3 June 2017, prior to the World Cup Qualifying match against Australia in Adelaide,” the statement read on their website.

“The players did not intend any disrespect to the memories of the victims or to cause upset to their families, friends or any individual affected by the atrocity.

“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation condemns all acts of terrorism and extremism and extends its sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims and to the Government and people of the United Kingdom.”

As Australia lined up arm-in-arm to honour the two young Australian victims — Sara Zelenak and Kirsty Boden — Saudi Arabia stood apart awaiting kick-off.

The incident caused a storm on social media.

That is just before it started, however, Hawsawi - the captain - continued to stretch and jog on spot during the minute.

Not cool. https://t.co/L09te9XgTf — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) June 8, 2017

Pre game minute silence:

AFC approved it pre game.

Travelling Saudi officials said no.

FFA tried to reason, no avail and went ahead. — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) June 8, 2017

Re Saudi debate, to be fair to their players, apart from the captain who didn't, they all stood still without moving during the minute. — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) June 8, 2017

you have to know that" standing for a minute silence" doesn't belong to the teachings of Islam.#AUSvKSA — عـبـدالـرحمن العتيبي (@aa51n27) June 8, 2017

However, social media soon tossed up examples of the Saudis observing a minute’s silence to mark one of their own significant deaths:

1st match of the Silver Cup Zedan v UAE paying a respectful minute of silence for late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/NhObtDAggJ — PoloLine (@Pololine) January 23, 2015

A minute of silence for the passing of #SaudiArabia's King Abdullah before Handball World Championships match in Doha pic.twitter.com/cPelMMMGrR — Times of Oman (@timesofoman) January 23, 2015

There was also this instance last December, when FC Barcelona and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli FC used silence to honour the memory of victims of the Chapecoense plane crash tragedy.

FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi FC observe a minute’s silence. Source: Getty Images

The Socceroos won 3-2 in a tense match to join Saudi Arabia and Japan in a three way jostle on top of the qualifying group with 16 points each.

Here are the moments that mattered.

7’ NIGHTMARE BLUNDER

Saudi Arabia spent a week in Adelaide preparing for the game, worrying about tactics and preparation.

Well, not much you can do when your goalkeeper stacks it and hands the opponent a goal on a silver platter.

Watch Juric’s opening goal in the video at the top of the page

Yasser Al Mosailem got away with a slip in the opening minutes, being harried by Juric.

But five minutes later he handed Australia the perfect start - literally - by slipping off a goal kick that went straight to Juric.

Tomi Juric scores for Socceroos. Source: FOX SPORTS

The finish was composed and a great relief to the Socceroos, who hadn’t found great fluidity yet but had a 1-0 lead to settle their nerves.

23’ ROOS SLICED OPEN

But rather than dictate terms, Australia’s stranglehold of the ball didn’t eventuate and the Falcons turned the game on its head after their first concerted period of possession.

A delightful finish from Salem Al Dawsari came after he strolled past Mile Jedinak and the heart of Australia’s back three with a run and an incisive give-and-go with Mohammed Al Sahlawi.

36’ REPRIEVE! JURIC AGAIN

According to Australia’s rhetoric, the Socceroos should have been dictating proceedings by this stage.

Far from it.

But Saudi Arabia repaid their hosts for their generous defending leaving Juric with space in the box to immaculately head home a Leckie cross from the right for a hugely relieving goal.

The right wingback surged past Al Dossaray to play his part to perfection.

Tomi Juric celebrates his second goal Source: FOX SPORTS

SCARE

As the half wound down, some Socceroo sloppiness crept back into the game.

Moments before his assist, Leckie almost handed one to the Saudis, giving the ball away clumsily before Mohammed Al Sahlawi skewed his shot.

Taisser Al Jassam had the ball in the back of the net but was off-side after a deft headed pass from Al Dawsari in a crowded box, before Al Dossary then fizzed a ball across the face from the left flank that flashed across the defence, as the danger continued to mount for the hosts who needed to be aware that the Saudis were more than capable of coming back from again.

Saudi Arabia equalise on the stroke of half time Source: FOX SPORTS

45+2’ AND THEY DID

The kamikaze defending continued as Al Jassam collected a beautiful ball over the top that left McGowan wanting again, teeing up Al Sahlawi - the quickest to react as Trent Sainsbury, Milos Degenek and Ryan all scrambled fruitlessly.

64’ ROGIC - BOOM

Rogic was enjoying an indifferent night, struggling to assert himself in the midfield scrap but as he’s shown all year for Celtic, he’s a match winner.

Tom Rogic celebrates his goal Source: FOX SPORTS

No matter how he’s playing during a 90 minutes, he’s a jewel in the crown.

With anxiety rising with 64 minutes on the clock, substitute Aziz Behich won the ball and fed Juric, who found Mooy. The midfielder showed composure to pick out the playmaker in space and he seized the moment.

Boom.

Now the question is, would the Socceroos finally show the composure required?

70’ PENNALLLTY!!

When Salman Alfaraj got a hold of Leckie in the box as he surged towards goal, it looked as clear a penalty as you’ll ever see, presenting the chance for Jedinak to step up to the spot to create a two-goal buffer.

Somehow, it was waved away. NOTE: Given the group could come down to goal difference, will that moment come back to haunt Australia? The green and gold would have gone ahead had Jedinak converted.

As clear a penalty as you will ever see @Socceroos #AUSKSA — Robbie Slater (@RobbieSlater17) June 8, 2017

Ur joking.. penalty every fricken day — Matt Thompson (@mattthommo8) June 8, 2017

83’ WHAT A TACKLE

Substitute Robbie Kruse almost put Australia in deep trouble with a back pass that left the defence scrambling frantically.

Sainsbury had to dig on every last sinew of speed in his body to get back and get a foot in ahead of Al Sahlawi, with Degenek close by, to ensure Ryan wasn’t faced with a late 1 v 1.

Minutes later, Australia could have put the game beyond doubt after more positive work from Behich down the left, but Juric made a hash of his cross and ballooned it over.