MANAMA, Bahrain -- Saudi Arabia routed Bahrain 4-0 Friday in a World Cup qualifier, putting the Saudis on top in Asian Group A.

Sami Al-Jaber's header in the 22nd minute bounced off the goalpost, but he contributed to the spurt that gave the Saudis a three-goal lead at the half.

In the 26th minute, Obeid al-Dosari headed a lofted kick from Ibrahim Mattar past Bahrain goalkeeper Hamad al-Rewaie. Less than two minutes later, Abdullah bin Shehan kicked in al-Jaber's rolling pass from the corner.

Abdullah al-Shahrani's free kick from near midfield sailed over Bahraini defenders and past al-Rewaie into the upper right of the goal for a 3-0 lead.

Bahrain peppered the Saudi goal in the second half. But, in the 74th minute, al-Rewaie was ejected off for charging into al-Dosari. Bahrain forward Rashed Jamal replaced al-Rewaie in goal, blocking an initial free kick and getting lucky when al-Jaber's rebound missed high.

In the 87th minute, however, al-Jaber nailed a low kick past the diving Jamal.

The other World Cup qualifier featured Oman against Qatar.