Group G: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Tajikistan

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group G: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Tajikistan

Riyadh: Salem Al Dawsari’s first-half strike was enough to hand Saudi Arabia a 1-0 win over Tajikistan in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Al Awwal Park on Thursday.

The two sides lock horns again in Dushanbe next week, with the Saudis maintaining a perfect record at the top of the group, while the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 quarter-finalists are second with four points.

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Round 2 - MD3: Results & Reports

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - MD3: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Three of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Thursday with another round of exciting action across the continent.

Reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar, Japan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Australia remained firmly in control of their respective groups with victories while Korea Republic were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Thailand. 
 
The nine group winners and the respective runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, and at the same time seal their places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
 
The other 18 teams from Round 2 will proceed directly to the third and final round of AFC Asian Cup qualifying. Stay updated on all the reaction from Thursday's matches with the-AFC.com with the teams to play again on Tuesday. 

Group D: Chinese Taipei 0-2 Kyrgyz Republic

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group D: Chinese Taipei 0-2 Kyrgyz Republic

Kaohsiung: Kyrgyz Republic secured their second win in a row after defeating Chinese Taipei  2-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie at the Nanzih Football Stadium on Thursday.

Second half goals from Valeriy Kichin and Kai Merk sealed the three points for Stefan Tarkovic’s men, with the two sides to meet again in Bishkek on Tuesday.

Group G: Pakistan 0-3 Jordan

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group G: Pakistan 0-3 Jordan

Islamabad: Jordan earned their first win in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after they defeated Pakistan 3-0 on Thursday.

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ runners-up produced a clinical performance, going two up in the first 45 minutes before finishing the job in the second half to reignite their push for a place in the next stage, moving up to four points with the reverse fixture against Pakistan to come on Tuesday.

Group I: Australia 2-0 Lebanon

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group I: Australia 2-0 Lebanon

Sydney: Australia made it three wins out of three matches in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign as they defeated Lebanon 2-0 in Group I on Thursday.

Keanu Baccus and Kye Rowles scored their first international goals for the home side early in each half as the Socceroos posted a comfortable victory at a packed Western Sydney Stadium.

Group B: Japan 1-0 DPR Korea

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group B: Japan 1-0 DPR Korea

Tokyo: Ao Tanaka’s second minute goal kept Hajime Moriyasu’s side perfect 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 as Japan picked up a 1-0 win over DPR Korea in Tokyo.

Tanaka, a surprise exclusion from the squad that travelled to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, slotted in after 81 seconds at National Stadium to secure a win that moves the Samurai Blue onto nine points from their first three games in the current phase of the preliminaries.

The nations are due to meet again in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Stadium on Tuesday with DPR Korea still on three points at the halfway stage having defeated Myanmar earlier in the campaign.

Group C: Korea Republic 1-1 Thailand

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group C: Korea Republic 1-1 Thailand

Seoul: Suphanat Mueanta’s second-half equaliser helped Thailand claim a memorable 1-1 draw against Korea Republic in Group C of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Son Heung-min put the hosts in front four minutes before the interval at Seoul World Cup Stadium but substitute Suphanat levelled proceedings shortly after the hour with the goal that ultimately secured a famous result for the Southeast Asians.