Group B: DPR Korea 1-0 Syria

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group B: DPR Korea 1-0 Syria

Vientiane: Jong Il Gwan’s last-gasp winner earned DPR Korea a vital 1-0 win over Syria in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Jong struck in the two minutes into added time to leave DPR Korea trailing their defeated opponents by just a point heading into Matchday Six with Japan having already assured themselves of a first place finish.

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Round 2 - MD5: Results & Reports

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Round 2 - MD5: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Palestine were the history makers as Matchday Five of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Thursday.

A goalless draw with Lebanon saw Palestine booking their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time as well as confirming a fourth consecutive appearance at the AFC Asian Cup Finals.

Also through to the next stage were Korea Republic as a 7-0 defeat of Singapore meant they are well on course for an 11th consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals.

The-AFC.com recaps how Matchday Five unfolded, with 13 of the 18 FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers third round spots filled.

Group B: Myanmar 0-5 Japan

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Group B: Myanmar 0-5 Japan

Yangon: Japan cruised to a 5-0 victory over Myanmar in Yangon on Thursday as Hajime Moriyasu’s side confirmed themselves as Group B winners in the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Keito Nakamura and Ritsu Doan struck in the 17th and 34th minutes respectively to give Japan a two-goal lead at the interval before a double from Koki Ogawa in the final 15 minutes and Nakamura’s injury time strike confirmed a win that moves Japan onto 15 points.

Group C: China PR 1-1 Thailand

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group C: China PR 1-1 Thailand

Shenyang: A 1-1 stalemate between China PR and Thailand in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Thursday will see the pair enforced to wait until Tuesday’s Matchday Six ties to know their Group C destiny.

China will remain in the driving seat going into the final round of fixtures with a three-point advantage and Thailand needing to overcome an inferior goal difference. However, China will have the more testing tie with a visit to group winners Korea Republic, while Thailand host bottom side Singapore.

Group D: Chinese Taipei 0-3 Oman

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group D: Chinese Taipei 0-3 Oman

Taipei: A composed Oman blanked Chinese Taipei 3-0 in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Taipei Municipal Stadium on Thursday.

A brace from Rahman Al Mushaifri and a strike from Jameel Al Yahmadi took Oman to 12 points from five matches, brightening their chances of advancing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the second successive edition.

Group E: Hong Kong, China 2-4 IR Iran

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group E: Hong Kong, China 2-4 IR Iran

Hong Kong: Islamic Republic of Iran survived a stiff test from Hong Kong, China to walk away with a 4-2 win in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group E tie on Thursday.

Mehdi Taremi led by example with a hat-trick as IR Iran stayed unbeaten, moving to 13 points with a match against Uzbekistan to come on Tuesday that will decide the group winners.

Group F: Vietnam 3-2 Philippines

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group F: Vietnam 3-2 Philippines

Hanoi: Vietnam came back from a goal down to edge the Philippines 3-2 in Group F of their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ match on Thursday.

Pham Tuan Hai scored the winner in second half added time as Vietnam kept their hopes alive, moving within one point of second-placed Indonesia in the standings.

Group I: Bangladesh 0-2 Australia

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group I: Bangladesh 0-2 Australia

Dhaka: Australia kept their perfect record alive in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 2-0 win over Bangladesh on Thursday.

At the Bashundhara Kings Arena, Graham Arnold’s side made it five wins from five matches, while another clean sheet, this time from Aston Villa’s Joe Gauci, making just his third appearance for the Socceroos, also kept alive their record of not having conceded so far this campaign.