Highlights AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road To 26

Oman made the most of their chances, converting one of just two shots on target into the game’s only goal. The crucial three points keep their World Cup hopes alive, as they now sit just three points behind second place.

Palestine delivered one of their finest home performances, staging a stunning comeback against Iraq despite creating few chances. In the final minutes, Ihab Abu Jazar’s men capitalized on two set-piece opportunities to secure their sixth point in the third round of World Cup qualifiers.

DPR Korea displayed commendable fighting spirit in their effort to secure a point against the UAE. However, in the final moments of the match, Adill Alamiri snatched a dramatic three points for Paulo Bento's side. 4o

Uzbekistan fought hard to delay IR Iran’s early World Cup qualification by taking the lead twice. However, the hosts equalized both times thanks to Mehdi Taremi’s clinical finishing before holding on to secure their spot at the world’s biggest football tournament.

First-half goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay were enough to secure all three points for Australia in their away match against China PR. This victory also solidified their second-place position, extending their lead over Saudi Arabia to three points.

Lucas Mendes experienced a whirlwind of emotions as he scored the equalizer for Qatar, only to be sent off just three minutes later. Despite their determined efforts to secure a draw, Qatar couldn't hold on in stoppage time and had to settle for maintaining their fourth-place position in Group A.

After a disappointing opening match, Patrick Kluivert finally celebrated with his team as Indonesia secured a home win against Bahrain. Despite wasting numerous chances, O. Romenij's lone goal was enough to earn Indonesia their ninth point in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers Round 3.

Korea Republic quickly showcased their home advantage and superior strength by taking an early lead against Jordan. However, a mistake by goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo allowed the visitors to equalize. Despite dominating the remainder of the match, Korea Republic’s lack of clinical finishing led to their third consecutive draw, leaving them just three points ahead of Jordan.

With their World Cup ticket already secured, Japan played with complete freedom but still created numerous dangerous opportunities against Saudi Arabia’s goal. However, the relentless efforts of the Green Falcons earned them a valuable point, narrowing the gap to second place to just one point.

China had an incredibly unlucky day on Saudi Arabia's home turf, constantly facing personnel setbacks under different circumstances, and ultimately unable to withstand the pressure from the hosts.

Iraq played a resilient match against Kuwait, clawing back a point after trailing by two goals until stoppage time. However, securing just one point saw Jesús Casas García's team drop to third place.

Jordan quickly wrapped up the match after the first 45 minutes, as Jamal Sellami's team scored three impressive goals, with Mousa Al Tamari providing the inspiration.

Qatar didn’t take long to make DPR Korea have a day to forget, finishing the match with a dominant victory, thus keeping their hopes alive of chasing second place.

Uzbekistan seemed to be able to easily overcome Kyrgyz Republic, but it wasn't until the final minutes of the first half that Timur Kapadze's team managed to open the scoring. However, being a player up from early on allowed the team to avoid any mistakes, continuing to solidify their second-place position in Group A.

IR Iran and the UAE created a very exciting match with efforts to score from both ends of the pitch. However, while the UAE lacked finishing touch, the Iranian players knew exactly how to demoralize their opponents, scoring two goals at the end of each half to firmly secure their top position in Group A.

South Korea was unable to hold on to their victory against a determined Oman in the final minutes of the match, making Hwang Hee-Chan's goal lose much of its significance.

Japan faced numerous challenges against Bahrain's playing style, despite playing on home soil. However, the class of the "Blue Samurai" was evident at the right moment, securing a victory for Moriyasu Hajime's squad and earning them an official spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Indonesia entered the match with high determination and was soon awarded a penalty. However, Kevin Diks wasted the opportunity to give the Southeast Asian representative the lead, and they ended up suffering a goal shower from the hosts into Maarten Paes' net.

Bahrain and Australia traded places on the standings in a match filled with twists and turns. The game’s outcome was sealed in dramatic fashion with a surprising late goal that changed everything.

Yazan Al Naimat gave Jordan the lead in the first half, but Mohammad Daham rescued Kuwait from defeat with a spectacular long-range strike.

Palestine caused a brief shock by opening the scoring, but Son Heung-min quickly responded just four minutes later to help Korea Republic maintain their unbeaten record and solidify their position atop Group B.

Iraq demonstrated their resilience at the right moment during their away match against Oman. Youssef Amyn’s decisive goal secured a vital win, temporarily placing them in second, trailing South Korea by just three points.

Fresh off their victory against Uzbekistan, Qatar seemed poised for another strong performance. However, much like their first encounter, the UAE dominated the match, ruthlessly dismantling their opponents thanks to an incredible display by Fábio Lima.

Leading 2-0 seemed to set Iran up for a comfortable match, but Kyrgyzstan fought back fiercely to level the score. However, the hosts’ hopes of earning a point were dashed when Sardar Azmoun delivered a timely winner, sealing victory for the visitors.

Indonesia rediscovered their form from the early stages of the third round qualifiers during their home clash against Saudi Arabia. A brace from Marselino Ferdinan, coupled with a resolute defensive effort, secured Garuda’s first victory in the most spectacular fashion.

China PR put in a determined effort in their home match against Japan, but the brilliance of Ogawa Koki and the visitors' superior class ensured there were no surprises in the outcome.

Following a narrow defeat to Qatar, Uzbekistan showcased impressive resilience, overcoming DPR Korea to narrow the gap to just one point from the top spot, taking another step closer to securing a World Cup berth.

Japan left no room for an upset against Indonesia, even on the latter’s home turf. The heavy rain at Bung Karno Stadium posed little challenge for the Samurai Blue as they unleashed a flurry of goals, securing a comprehensive victory and taking all three points back home.

The stalemate between Jordan and Iraq saw both teams walk away with a point. However, this result doesn’t significantly impact their chances of competing for a FIFA World Cup 2026 spot, as both remain in relatively strong positions in Group B.

As expected by the fans, both Qatar and Uzbekistan delivered a high-quality performance, turning the match into a nail-biting affair. With stunning goals and an unpredictable narrative, the game remained on a knife’s edge until the final moments, providing an emotional and memorable spectacle.

The home advantage was evident as UAE secured a crucial victory against Kyrgyz Republic. This win keeps Paulo Bento's squad in contention, with their hopes of advancing still alive if they can maintain strong performances in the remaining third-round qualifiers.

Oman showed great determination in their quest for three points against Palestine, ultimately overcoming a resilient visiting side. This victory narrows the gap to just two points between Oman and second place, held by Palestine, reigniting their hopes in the qualifiers.

Zhang Yuning's stoppage-time goal in the first minute of injury time secured a crucial three points for China, drawing them level on points with Saudi Arabia and Australia. This result has thrown Group C wide open, making the race for qualification increasingly unpredictable.

As expected, hosts Kuwait faced relentless pressure from a dominant Korea Republic. Son Heung-min and his teammates maintained their impressive form, securing another victory to extend their unbeaten streak in the third round of World Cup qualifiers.

What seemed like a comfortable game for Iran after scoring three goals in the first half turned into a nail-biter as DPR Korea launched a second-half comeback with two goals. The visitors were left sweating through the remainder of the match to secure their win.

Both Australia and Saudi Arabia showed determination in their quest for goals, but their lack of finishing touch saw numerous chances go begging, resulting in a goalless stalemate.

The clash between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain can be summed up by the contrasting performances of Ebrahim Lutfalla and Al-Dawsari. While Lutfalla delivered a sensational performance, keeping Bahrain in the game for over 100 minutes, including a crucial penalty save, Al-Dawsari symbolized the disjointed and ineffective attack of the home team.

It seemed that Yousef Nasser's brace would secure Kuwait's first victory, especially with the advantage of playing with an extra man. However, Zaid Qunbar salvaged a point for Palestine in the final minutes of the match.

The Rashid Stadium fell silent after a beautiful opening goal from Almoez Ali, but from that moment on, the home crowd turned the stadium into a true cauldron. Iran, led by a brilliant performance from Sardar Azmoun, mounted an impressive comeback to secure a thrilling victory.

Jordan showcased their superior strength against Oman to regain their winning form after a loss to South Korea in the third match. The three points earned allowed Jamal Sellami's team to climb back to second place in Group B, thanks to their impressive goal difference over Iraq.

Kyrgyz Republic had a stroke of luck early on with Khristiyan Brauzman's goal. Maksim Lisitsyn's team maintained that early advantage with solid defense, as DPR Korea's attack struggled to find its rhythm, allowing Kyrgyz Republic to secure their first three points.

Uzbekistan showcased their versatile attacking abilities, creating multiple chances to break through the UAE defense. However, in a moment of stalemate, it was the visitors who handed the three points to Srečko Katanec's side. A red card for Abdulla Hamad, followed by a penalty for the hosts just 10 minutes later, sealed the victory, extending Uzbekistan's unbeaten streak.

China delivered an efficient performance despite conceding much of the possession to Indonesia. Branko Ivanković's side simply left their opponents frustrated, securing their first victory in this third round of the World Cup qualifiers.

True to the nature of a top-of-the-table clash in Group B, both South Korea and Iraq played cautiously against each other until Hong Myeong-bo's side broke the deadlock with the opening goal. Iraq responded with a stubborn equalizer and created numerous chances, but once again, the super subs made their mark, securing 3 points for the Korean team.

Australia's disciplined play caused many difficulties for Japan. The visitors were even gifted a goal after Taniguchi Shōgo's own goal. However, Hajime Moriyasu's side showed their class at the most crucial moment, securing a point thanks to another own goal from their opponents.

Despite playing away against Saudi Arabia, Japan demonstrated their status as one of Asia’s top teams. They took an early lead and maintained control throughout the match without needing to attack aggressively, sealing the win through a well-executed set-piece.

Aymen Hussein made a remarkable return, delivering a world-class finish to score the only goal of the match, helping Iraq defeat Palestine. With this victory, Iraq continues to share the top spot in Group B with South Korea, both having 7 points.

After two consecutive losses, Oman appointed Rasheed Jabar to replace Jaroslav Silhavy as head coach, and the change proved effective as the team secured their first win in a highly impressive fashion.

Han Kwang-Song once again dashed North Korea's hopes with a missed penalty, but fortunately for the Northeast Asian side, Jong Il-gwan stepped up, shining after a series of efforts to secure a draw against the UAE.

Indonesia came close to securing their first victory in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers, but Mohamed Marhoon’s brilliant performance salvaged a point for Bahrain with a dramatic 90+9 minute equalizer.

Driven by their pre-match determination, Qatar finally secured their first 3 points in the third round of the 2026 Asian World Cup qualifiers with a comfortable win over Kyrgyzstan.

The Central Asian derby between Uzbekistan and Iran lacked excitement as both teams played cautiously. Despite Iran being down to ten men after Saleh Hardani’s red card for most of the second half, the match failed to become more engaging.

Jordan's physical style of play posed numerous challenges for a South Korean side missing Son Heung-min. However, Hong Myeong-bo's players found a way to deliver at key moments in each half, securing a crucial 3 points to firmly maintain their top spot in Group B.

Tony Popovic’s reign as Australia head coach started with a win on Thursday as the Socceroos fought back from going a goal behind to hand China PR a 3-1 defeat at the Adelaide Oval in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers

The most notable moment in the match between Kuwait and Iraq was likely the controversial VAR intervention that led to Rebin Sulaka's red card. Despite both teams creating numerous chances, the lack of real breakthrough moments meant that no goals were scored.

Japan continues to dominate their opponents in the third round of World Cup qualifiers for the Asian region. After China PR, it was Bahrain's turn to endure the power of the "Blue Samurai."

Both UAE and Iran demonstrated their determination to secure points in this match, with both teams launching early attacks on their opponent’s goal. However, after more than 90 minutes, only one goal was scored, and it went to the side that showed greater composure.

South Korea regained their usual form in the second match against Oman. While Son Heung-min wasn't the most prominent name, with one goal and one assist, the South Korean captain helped his team secure their first victory after a disappointing opening game.

Kyrgyz Republic caused a few surprises by taking the lead twice against Uzbekistan. However, Srečko Katanec's team displayed impressive composure, equalizing each time and ultimately defeating their opponents with notable contributions from their attacking line.

Jordan had a highly effective attacking day with a brilliant performance from Yazan Al-Naimat. The visitors' strong offensive display left Palestine with no chance to defend. With the three points earned, Makram Daboub and his team joined South Korea at the top of Group B with a total of four points.

Despite facing immense pressure from the Australian team, Indonesia once again showed their resilience at home, securing another point in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

China had a dream start, taking the lead from a corner kick and even gaining a man advantage as early as the 19th minute after Mohamed Kanno received a red card. However, Saudi Arabia left the hosts in utter disappointment, scoring two goals from corner kicks to secure their first win of the tournament.

DPR Korea and Qatar delivered one of the best matches in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia so far. The two teams showcased a thrilling spectacle with 4 goals scored, including 3 stunning strikes, each in its own unique style.

Indonesia proved that their presence in the 3rd round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the AFC region was no fluke. Smart tactics and a resolute fighting spirit earned the Southeast Asian representatives a valuable point against the strong opponent, Saudi Arabia.

Jordan made relatively good use of their home advantage to put pressure on Kuwait for most of the match. However, at a time when the hosts needed to stay most focused, they ended up dropping 2 crucial points in a disappointing manner.

Iraq continued to showcase their threat from set pieces, and once again, their "trademark play" secured them a victory in their opening match.

Entering the game with great momentum and taking an early lead, no one could have imagined that the reigning Asian Cup champions, Qatar, would collapse so easily against the UAE by the final whistle.

Despite playing at home, Iran faced numerous challenges against Kyrgyzstan's tough playing style. It took Mehdi Taremi's opportunistic goal, capitalizing on a defensive error, and Alireza Beiranvand's outstanding saves for Amir Ghalenoei's squad to secure their first three points.

Uzbekistan showcased superior attacking ability compared to their opponent. The Central Asian team created numerous chances and shots, but one goal was enough for coach Srečko Katanec's squad to secure their first three points.

Despite launching a barrage of shots toward Palestine's goal, South Korea failed to find the back of the net even once, ultimately settling for a draw in their opening match.

As expected, Japan asserted their status as a top Asian powerhouse by crushing China at home with a 7-0 victory.

Home advantage helped the Australian national team dominate Bahrain for most of the match. However, before they could even find the opening goal, the hosts faced a setback when Kusini Yengi received a straight red card. This allowed the visitors to seal the game with a somewhat fortunate goal.