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[Awards Review]
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▶ Jordan and Uzbekistan earn maiden qualification, Australia on cusp
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[2025/06/07 ]
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Jordan and Uzbekistan reach first finals while Korea Republic also punch ticket and Australia move to the brink of qualification.
Jordan and Uzbekistan have reached their first FIFA World Cup™. An Ali Olwan hat-trick piloted the former to a 3-0 win over Oman, while the latter drew with United Arab Emirates. Korea Republic are also back in the big dance after downing Iraq. Australia, for their part, are on the brink of a sixth successive finals after a late goal sunk Japan.
How qualifying works
 Asia has been allocated eight direct spots at the World Cup 26™ and another potential berth via the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. In this, the third round of qualifying, the continent's remaining 18 nations were divided into three groups of six. The group winners and runners-up advance to the global finals, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will advance to the fourth round.
Group A
United Arab Emirates 0-0 Uzbekistan
After several near misses, Uzbekistan finally made it to football's biggest stage. A timid opening stanza gave way to a more lively second, in which Uzbek substitute Abbosbek Fayzullaev clipped the bar in what was the best moment of the contest.
The White Wolves did survive several nervy moments, however, with goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov making a pair of smart saves to deny the hosts late on. The UAE now progress to the fourth round and another shot at reaching what would be a second global finals.
Korea DPR 2-2 Kyrgyz Republic
Korea DPR goals: Pak Kwang-hun (44), Ri Jo-guk (52)
Kyrgyz Republic goals: Gulzhigit Alykulov (57), Kim Song-hye OG (90+4)
Kyrgyz Republic’s qualifying hopes came to an end despite a valiant two-goal comeback in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Korea DPR had few chances in the first half, but went ahead at its end, Pak Kwang-hun heading home Kim Jin-hyok's corner. They doubled their lead thanks to a surging run from Kye Tam and a powerful finish from Ri Jo-guk.
Kyrgyz Republic needed a lifeline and it came in the way of a lapse from the Korea DPR defence, who failed to clear their lines and allowed Gulzhigit Alykulov to pull a goal back. The visitors had the momentum and got the equaliser deep in stoppage time, via a Kim Song-hye own goal amid pressure from Joel Kojo. It was not, however, sufficient to preserve their World Cup chances.
Qatar 1-0 IR Iran
Goal: Pedro Miguel (41)
Julen Lopetegui won his first game in charge of Qatar, helping them seal their place in the fourth round. An already-qualified Iran dominated the opening stanza, creating multiple chances in the early moments, but Iran went down to 10 men after central defender Milad Mohammadi received his second yellow card for a tough tackle from behind.
With the numerical advantage, Qatar grew into the game, and Pedro Miguel saw two chances rebuffed by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand before eventually squeezing a toe-poke in at the near post. Qatar largely dominated the second half to see things out, handing Iran their first loss in qualifying.
Group B
Oman 0-3 Jordan
Goals: Ali Olwan (45+7, 51, 64)
Jordan have qualified for their first World Cup after they defeated Oman in Muscat and Iraq lost to Korea Republic. Despite the hosts dominating much of the opening half, the visitors went in ahead at the break thanks to an Ali Olwan penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time, awarded for a foul on Mohannad Abu Taha.
Olwan got his name on the scoresheet again six minutes into the second half, when he swept home a Yazan Al Naimat cross, before completing an impressive hat-trick by calmly dispatching Mousa Al Tamari's cutback from close range. Jamal Sellami's side were forced to wait for the result of the Iraq-Korea Republic match but they are now through after being assured of second place in their group.
Iraq 0-2 Korea Republic
Goals: Kim Jingyu (63), Oh Hyeongyu (82)
Korea Republic reached their 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup following a convincing victory against 10-man Iraq at Basra International Stadium. Iraq's defeat also means that they can no longer secure an automatic qualifying spot, with Jordan assured of second place.
Iraq put themselves at a numerical disadvantage in the 26th minute when Ali Al Hamadi was shown a straight red card for a high kick to the face of Cho Yumin, who was attempting to head the ball. Just four minutes later, Hwang Heechan missed a glorious chance to put Korea Republic ahead when he struck an eight-yard effort wide with the goal at his mercy.
Korea Republic finally took the lead in the 63rd minute when Kim Jingyu struck home from 15 yards after a neat lay-off from Lee Kangin. Their place at next year's global showpiece was assured when Oh Hyeongyu converted from close range eight minutes from time.
Kuwait 0-2 Palestine
Goals: Tamer Seyam (32), Wessam Abou Ali (88)
Palestine knew that a win at the Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium would keep them in the hunt to progress to the fourth round. They took the lead when Oday Dabbagh showed strength and perseverance to hold off his marker, before delivering a cross for Tamer Seyam to volley home. Wessam Abou Ali doubled the visitors' advantage from the penalty spot after Ahmad Zanki's foul.
The result leaves Kuwait still without a win in Group B, while Palestine picked up their second victory of the campaign and are still in with a chance of finishing third in the section.
Group C
Australia 1-0 Japan
Goal: Behich (90)
With Japan already safely qualified, coach Hajime Moriyasu named three debutants in the XI to face an Australia side that headed into the fixture sitting second, three points clear of Saudi Arabia. A vastly-superior goal difference over the Saudis, who they meet next week in Jeddah, meant that a win in their first-ever match at Perth Stadium would all but qualify the Socceroos for a sixth straight edition.
In a match of precious few chances, they managed to get that right at the death. A pair of substitutes were the creators as Jason Geria released Connor Metcalfe, who raced to the byline and cut the ball back for Aziz Behich to sweep home.
Indonesia 1-0 China PR
Goal: Ole Romeny (45 pen)
Following Australia’s win earlier in the evening, Indonesia were no longer able to secure direct qualification, but they took a huge step towards booking a fourth-round berth with a hard-fought 1-0 win against China. Ole Romeny made it three goals in as many matches for the Garuda with a penalty late in the first half that proved to be the difference in Jakarta.
Bahrain 0-2 Saudi Arabia
Goals: Musab Al Juwayr (15), Abdulrahman Al Aboud (77)
Saudi Arabia will have to beat Australia by a five-goal margin in Jeddah next week to steal second place and automatic qualification from the Socceroos after a narrow win in Riffa, which ended the hosts' hopes of qualifying.
The visitors went ahead when Musab Al Juwayr found space at the far post to volley in a deep cross from Salem Al Dawsari. After Bahrain hit the post through Mohamed Marhoon after the break, Saudi Arabia sealed victory on the counter-attack through substitute Abdulrahman Al-Aboud.
It means unless the Saudis can produce a thumping win on Tuesday against an Australian side who had earlier defeated group winners Japan – a 4-0 win would level the goal difference but they would still trail on goals scored – they will have to settle for a fourth-round place as they aim for their third World Cup in a row.
What they said...
“I’m sure that every Australian that saw this game is a proud Australian tonight. We stayed in the game and it was a great goal at the end. That shows the belief that the group has and I believe there’s more to come.”
Tony Popovic, Australia coach
"The reason we are here and fighting hard is because we play for the supporters, for the people. We fight for the badge on our chest, and that's why we work hard together as a team. Thank you, and let's see what comes next [against Japan]."
Jay Idzes, Indonesia defender
"We wanted to continue our unbeaten run through the qualifiers, but time won’t go backwards. We’ll focus on preparing in the best possible way to secure a win at home in our next match."
Hajime Moriyasu, Japan coach
"Hard luck to the fans and the players. I apologize to our fans, we were hoping to qualify for the World Cup, but things didn’t go our way. After the coaching staff changed, we went through a tough phase, but we actually started well against Korea. Then came the red card, and we couldn’t recover from that. Hopefully, we’ll do better in the fourth round of the qualifiers".
Jalal Hassan, Iraq goalkeeper
"With today's win, we've qualified for the World Cup, so from now on we're going to focus everything on the World Cup and prepare step by step to be ready for the tournament."
Hong Myungbo, Korea Republic coach
“We expected to win, but not by three goals. We faced one of the strongest teams in Asia, but this big victory shows the players’ desire and ambition to reach their dream of qualifying for the World Cup.”
Jamal Sellami, Jordan coach
- The origianl text resource is from FIFA Official Website |
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