Saudi Arabia claimed the advantage in their World Cup play-off against Bahrain after earning a goalless draw Manama.
The visitors, chasing a fifth consecutive World Cup finals appearance, had goalkeeper Waleed Adbullah to thank as he made several acrobatic saves to deny Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia will look to take the advantage in Wednesday's second leg in Riyadh and secure a meeting with Oceania champions New Zealand, with the winner earning a trip to South Africa next year.
Bahrain, chasing a maiden World Cup finals appearance, almost made a flying start after just six minutes as Husain Ali rounded Adbullah but fortunately for Saudi Arabia defender Abdulla Al Dossary had recovered to clear the ball off the line.
Saudi Arabia's Yasser Al Qahtani had a strong penalty appeal turned down two minutes later as he appeared to be brought down from behind by Abdulla Omar as he surged goalwards.
Adbullah acrobatically turned a dipping strike from Sayed Mohamed Adnan over the crossbar before the Saudi keeper produced another flying save to deny Omar eight minutes after the break.
Malek Maaz then came within inches of handing Saudi Arabia a crucial away goal as Adbullah Shuhail's low cross eluded the striker virtually under the crossbar.
Bahrain coach Milan Macala had stated before the game his side would need a first leg advantage to defend in Riyadh next week and introduced Nigerian-born striker Jaycee John with 20 minutes remaining,
The move almost paid off as John headed straight at Adbullah with his first touch, while at the other end Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohamad Jaffer needed to be on his toes to deny Nassir Al Shamrani as the Saudi Arabia substitute looked to sneak an effort inside the near post with 13 minutes remaining,
Adnan saw his glancing header graze the outside of the Saudi post before the lively Al Shamrani fired straight at Jaafar after muscling his way into space inside the area.
Adbullah needed to be at his best in stoppage time as only his legs denied John from close range before the striker saw his deflected shot from the edge of the area turned over the bar by the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper.
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