Group I: Lebanon cap campaign with win

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group I: Lebanon cap campaign with win

Doha: Lebanon wrapped up their matches in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ in style, beating Bangladesh 4-0 at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

The result means the Cedars finish third with six points, just two behind Palestine who accompanied Australia to the third round of World Cup qualifiers, while Bangladesh could not add to their solitary point, collected from the reverse fixture in Dhaka back in November.

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Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with five teams booking their spots.

Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) joined Korea Republic, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Palestine, Qatar, Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Australia in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Stay updated on all the reaction with the-AFC.com.

Group G: Tajikistan sign off on high note

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group G: Tajikistan sign off on high note

Dushanbe: Tajikistan ended their campaign on a high note after defeating Pakistan 3-0 in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday. 

Tajikistan secured their second win to finish with eight points with Pakistan concluding their campaign with six defeats.

Group B: DPR Korea power past Myanmar to advance

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group B: DPR Korea power past Myanmar to advance

Vientiane: A hat-trick from Ri Jo Guk guided a dominant DPR Korea to a 4-1 victory over Myanmar in their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group B match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Lao National Stadium, Vientiane on Tuesday.

The victory ensured DPR Korea’s entry to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirmed to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals as they finished second with nine points behind group winners Japan.

Group E: Turkmenistan, Hong Kong, China bid farewell with stalemate

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group E: Turkmenistan, Hong Kong, China bid farewell with stalemate

Ashgabat: Turkmenistan finished in third place in Group E after holding Hong Kong, China to a goalless draw at the Ashgabat Stadium to bring their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign to a conclusion on Tuesday.

The Central Asians, who finished above their visitors by virtue of a superior goal difference, will now move into the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Hong Kong, China, where 24 teams will battle for the six spots left in the continental competition to be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2027.

The two sides went into their final Group E outing having collected only a single point in five matches – which came in a 2-2 draw when they met on Matchday Two.

Group D: Malaysia fight back to beat Chinese Taipei

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group D: Malaysia fight back to beat Chinese Taipei

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia came from behind to defeat Chinese Taipei 3-1 in their final Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday.

Despite the win, Malaysia are almost certain to miss out on the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers as only a seven-goal defeat for Kyrgyz Republic against Oman later on Tuesday will enable the Southeast Asian side to progress.

Group F: Indonesia seal berth

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group F: Indonesia seal berth

Jakarta: Indonesia booked their place in the next round of Asia’s qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and confirmed their progress to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 2-0 win over the Philippines on Tuesday at a buoyant Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Thom Haye put Shin Tae-yong’s side in front before a header from defender Rizky Ridho doubled the home side’s advantage to the delight of the more than 64,000 fans in central Jakarta as Indonesia advanced to the third phase of FIFA World Cup qualifying for the first time.

The result means Indonesia are guaranteed to finish second in Group F, ahead of Vietnam and the Philippines, and will go into the draw on June 27 alongside winners Iraq.

Group C: Heartbreak for Thailand

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group C: Heartbreak for Thailand

Bangkok:  It was heartbreak for Thailand despite defeating Singapore 3-1 in their concluding Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C tie on Tuesday.

The victory drew Thailand level on eight points with China PR but with both teams having an identical goal difference, the Southeast Asian side finished third on the head-to-head ratio.

Group I: Australia turn on the style against Palestine

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group I: Australia turn on the style against Palestine

Perth: Australia wrapped up their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign with maximum points by posting an impressive 5-0 win against visitors Palestine in their final Group I outing at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday.

Kusini Yengi converted a penalty in the fifth minute to score for the third consecutive qualifier tie before Adam Taggart netted in his hometown to double their lead. Portsmouth striker Yengi then netted his second of the evening to put the game beyond Palestine even before the half-time interval.

Graham Arnold’s men added a fourth early in the second period as Martin Boyle turned scorer before Nestory Irankunda bagged an 86th-minute penalty for his maiden international goal as the Socceroos closed out their second round campaign without conceding a single goal.

Group C: China PR through despite defeat to Korea Republic

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group C: China PR through despite defeat to Korea Republic

Seoul: A Lee Kang-in goal saw Korea Republic defeat China PR 1-0 on Tuesday and conclude their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign with an unbeaten record atop of Group C.

After a goalless first half of few chances, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee put the Taegeuk Warriors in front on 61 minutes to seal a victory with a scoreline that, in truth, did not reflect their near complete dominance of proceedings at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

China, meanwhile, joined Korea Republic in the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirmed their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals by the slimmest of margins - finishing ahead of Thailand on the head-to-head ratio after both sides concluded their respective campaigns with eight points and identical goal margins.

Group B: Perfect Japan end campaign in style

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group B: Perfect Japan end campaign in style

Hiroshima: Three goals in eight first-half minutes ensured Japan finished the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a perfect record as Hajime Moriyasu’s side handed Syria a 5-0 defeat in Hiroshima on Tuesday.

Ayase Ueda opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Ritsu Doan struck six minutes later and, with Thaer Krouma putting the ball in his own net in the 21st minute, the Japanese had an unassailable lead in a Group B clash the Syrians had to win to seal their spot in the next round.

Defeat for Hector Cuper’s team means DPR Korea took second place in the standings – and a spot in the draw for the third phase on June 27 – after they defeated Myanmar 4-1 in Vientiane.