The result also means that Singapore’s faint hopes of reaching South Africa are officially dead.

The win was a good start to Nasser Al Johar’s return to the Saudi hotseat as Brazilian Helio Dos Anjos was fired earlier in the week.

Singapore started the game six points behind the second-placed Saudis and started the game at the National Stadium brightly.

Saudi Arabia took the lead ten minutes before the break however. Saad Al Harthi fed Abdoh Autef and the midfielder made no mistake in shooting home.

Despite the best efforts of Singapore, the Saudis sealed the win with 14 minutes remaining.

Ahmed Al Fraidi’s fired a low shot into the net.