Asia's big two cap World Cup qualifying with victories
Japan and South Korea have ended their successful 2026 World Cup qualification campaigns on a high with emphatic home victories over Indonesia and Kuwait respectively.
In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes to set Japan, preparing for an eighth consecutive World Cup, on the way to a 6-0 victory.
Takefusa Kubo added a second five minutes later and Kamada extended the lead just before the break. Soon after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino piled on and Mao Hosoya made it six.
South Korea, already qualified for an 11th straight World Cup, sealed top spot in Group B after beating Kuwait 4-0 to complete an unbeaten campaign.
Jeon Jin-woo scored after 33 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in added a second soon after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also got on the scoresheet.
In Asia's third round of qualification, the top two from each of the three groups of six progress automatically to the World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan and South Korea have qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Australia, the only team to beat Japan in qualifying, will also book a place if they avoid a heavy defeat in Saudi Arabia later on Tuesday (local time)
The six teams that finish third and fourth advance to another stage to play off for Asia's two remaining automatic places.
Elsewhere, China defeated Bahrain 1-0 with both teams already eliminated from contention.
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"Mat Leckie got injured, and I was a late call-up.'' He joked: "Got the voodoo doll out and maybe injured Leckie. Nah, kidding, sorry, mate. "But it feels good, and probably a good way to silence some of the keyboard warriors as well. Feels good." Duke had previously been open about critics on social media coming for him after he missed chances in Australia's Asian Cup quarter-final exit last year. Winger Martin Boyle was singing the praises of hard-working Duke, one of the heroes of Australia's golden run at the 2022 World Cup. "Absolutely delighted for him," Boyle told AAP. "Obviously, as footballers, you're open to a lot of criticism, but for Dukey, he just powers through. He comes up with some massive goals. "Obviously he was disappointed not to be selected in the initial squad. But he's also come back, he's kept his head down, and he's changed the game against Japan. "He took his chance and his opportunity tonight with a goal and an assist. 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Then he sealed Australia's sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance. But his teammates never doubted his value, or ability to step up. Duke, who for a second consecutive window was left out of Tony Popovic's squad only to earn a late reprieve, is soaking it all in. The veteran striker came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Japan that effectively sealed automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament. Then Popovic called on Duke to start against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, where Australia only needed to avoid defeat by less than five goals. Australia conceded the opener but in the 42nd minute, Duke teed up Connor Metcalfe to score the equaliser. Three minutes after halftime, the much-maligned striker glanced home a header to put Australia in front with his first goal since January 2024. "I wasn't even supposed to be here, to be honest," Duke said. "Mat Leckie got injured, and I was a late call-up.'' He joked: "Got the voodoo doll out and maybe injured Leckie. Nah, kidding, sorry, mate. "But it feels good, and probably a good way to silence some of the keyboard warriors as well. Feels good." Duke had previously been open about critics on social media coming for him after he missed chances in Australia's Asian Cup quarter-final exit last year. Winger Martin Boyle was singing the praises of hard-working Duke, one of the heroes of Australia's golden run at the 2022 World Cup. "Absolutely delighted for him," Boyle told AAP. "Obviously, as footballers, you're open to a lot of criticism, but for Dukey, he just powers through. He comes up with some massive goals. "Obviously he was disappointed not to be selected in the initial squad. But he's also come back, he's kept his head down, and he's changed the game against Japan. "He took his chance and his opportunity tonight with a goal and an assist. "I love playing with him, and I have done for many years, and everything that he's given for the country. 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Duke, who for a second consecutive window was left out of Tony Popovic's squad only to earn a late reprieve, is soaking it all in. The veteran striker came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Japan that effectively sealed automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament. Then Popovic called on Duke to start against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, where Australia only needed to avoid defeat by less than five goals. Australia conceded the opener but in the 42nd minute, Duke teed up Connor Metcalfe to score the equaliser. Three minutes after halftime, the much-maligned striker glanced home a header to put Australia in front with his first goal since January 2024. "I wasn't even supposed to be here, to be honest," Duke said. "Mat Leckie got injured, and I was a late call-up.'' He joked: "Got the voodoo doll out and maybe injured Leckie. Nah, kidding, sorry, mate. "But it feels good, and probably a good way to silence some of the keyboard warriors as well. Feels good." Duke had previously been open about critics on social media coming for him after he missed chances in Australia's Asian Cup quarter-final exit last year. Winger Martin Boyle was singing the praises of hard-working Duke, one of the heroes of Australia's golden run at the 2022 World Cup. "Absolutely delighted for him," Boyle told AAP. "Obviously, as footballers, you're open to a lot of criticism, but for Dukey, he just powers through. He comes up with some massive goals. "Obviously he was disappointed not to be selected in the initial squad. But he's also come back, he's kept his head down, and he's changed the game against Japan. "He took his chance and his opportunity tonight with a goal and an assist. "I love playing with him, and I have done for many years, and everything that he's given for the country. He's a top-class striker and hopefully he can keep going." Duke relished Australia's turnaround in qualifying after Popovic took over from Graham Arnold, who resigned after a loss and draw in his first two games of the campaign. "It feels damn good," Duke said. "Not the best start (to qualifying) to be honest, and to get us here, into automatic qualification, we haven't done that for a while, just feels unbelievable." Now 34, Duke knows he will have to kick up a gear to retain his spot ahead of next year's tournament in north America, especially with young strikers like Mo Toure waiting in the wings. "All I can do is take the opportunities when they're presented to me, do well at club football, and hope I just keep doing well," he said.
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His performances on the field and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies cricket." He last played for West Indies in December 2024 in T20s against Bangladesh, but has not played an ODI since July 2023 and does not play Tests. Nicholas Pooran, West Indies' Twenty20 record-holder for runs and appearances, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 29-year-old played 106 T20s for 2275 runs at an average of 26.14. He also played 61 one-day internationals, including three centuries and one World Cup. "Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field ... it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me," the left-handed wicketkeeper batter posted on Instagram. "To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart." Pooran was suspended briefly in late 2019 after admitting to ball-tampering against Afghanistan, and overcame that to be named T20 vice captain about 18 months later for a tour by Australia. But he became captain when Kieron Pollard couldn't play, and led the team to a 4-1 series win. In 2022, the Trinidadian was named the permanent white-ball skipper and took the team to that year's T20 World Cup in Australia, but in fallout from a first-round elimination he resigned. He starred when West Indies hosted the T20 World Cup last year, overtaking Chris Gayle as the team's all-time leading scorer, and hitting his highest T20 score, 98 against Afghanistan. It is understood Pooran told Cricket West Indies of his retirement on Monday and the decision will allow him to concentrate on playing in lucrative franchise leagues. Pooran had already skipped the ongoing T20 series against England to rest following his time playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League. He also has deals in Major League Cricket and The Hundred this summer. Cricket West Indies praised Pooran as a game-changer, and with "sincere gratitude and appreciation ... for his outstanding contributions. His performances on the field and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies cricket." He last played for West Indies in December 2024 in T20s against Bangladesh, but has not played an ODI since July 2023 and does not play Tests. Nicholas Pooran, West Indies' Twenty20 record-holder for runs and appearances, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 29-year-old played 106 T20s for 2275 runs at an average of 26.14. He also played 61 one-day internationals, including three centuries and one World Cup. "Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field ... it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me," the left-handed wicketkeeper batter posted on Instagram. "To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart." Pooran was suspended briefly in late 2019 after admitting to ball-tampering against Afghanistan, and overcame that to be named T20 vice captain about 18 months later for a tour by Australia. But he became captain when Kieron Pollard couldn't play, and led the team to a 4-1 series win. In 2022, the Trinidadian was named the permanent white-ball skipper and took the team to that year's T20 World Cup in Australia, but in fallout from a first-round elimination he resigned. He starred when West Indies hosted the T20 World Cup last year, overtaking Chris Gayle as the team's all-time leading scorer, and hitting his highest T20 score, 98 against Afghanistan. It is understood Pooran told Cricket West Indies of his retirement on Monday and the decision will allow him to concentrate on playing in lucrative franchise leagues. Pooran had already skipped the ongoing T20 series against England to rest following his time playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League. He also has deals in Major League Cricket and The Hundred this summer. Cricket West Indies praised Pooran as a game-changer, and with "sincere gratitude and appreciation ... for his outstanding contributions. His performances on the field and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies cricket." He last played for West Indies in December 2024 in T20s against Bangladesh, but has not played an ODI since July 2023 and does not play Tests.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Asia's big two cap World Cup qualifying with victories
Japan and South Korea have ended their successful 2026 World Cup qualification campaigns on a high with emphatic home victories over Indonesia and Kuwait respectively. In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes to set Japan, preparing for an eighth consecutive World Cup, on the way to a 6-0 victory. Takefusa Kubo added a second five minutes later and Kamada extended the lead just before the break. Soon after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino piled on and Mao Hosoya made it six. South Korea, already qualified for an 11th straight World Cup, sealed top spot in Group B after beating Kuwait 4-0 to complete an unbeaten campaign. Jeon Jin-woo scored after 33 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in added a second soon after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also got on the scoresheet. In Asia's third round of qualification, the top two from each of the three groups of six progress automatically to the World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan and South Korea have qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Australia, the only team to beat Japan in qualifying, later joined them with an impressive 2-1 win in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis will join the other five teams that finished third and fourth in a fourth qualifying stage with Asia having two remaining automatic places. UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Indonesia already had spots booked and Oman claimed the last with a 97th-minute equaliser against Palestine in neutral Jordan, despite being down to ten men, edging out their putative hosts. Elsewhere, China finished off another disappointing campaign with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in Chongqing in a game between teams already eliminated from contention. Japan and South Korea have ended their successful 2026 World Cup qualification campaigns on a high with emphatic home victories over Indonesia and Kuwait respectively. In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes to set Japan, preparing for an eighth consecutive World Cup, on the way to a 6-0 victory. Takefusa Kubo added a second five minutes later and Kamada extended the lead just before the break. Soon after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino piled on and Mao Hosoya made it six. South Korea, already qualified for an 11th straight World Cup, sealed top spot in Group B after beating Kuwait 4-0 to complete an unbeaten campaign. Jeon Jin-woo scored after 33 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in added a second soon after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also got on the scoresheet. In Asia's third round of qualification, the top two from each of the three groups of six progress automatically to the World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan and South Korea have qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Australia, the only team to beat Japan in qualifying, later joined them with an impressive 2-1 win in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis will join the other five teams that finished third and fourth in a fourth qualifying stage with Asia having two remaining automatic places. UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Indonesia already had spots booked and Oman claimed the last with a 97th-minute equaliser against Palestine in neutral Jordan, despite being down to ten men, edging out their putative hosts. Elsewhere, China finished off another disappointing campaign with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in Chongqing in a game between teams already eliminated from contention. Japan and South Korea have ended their successful 2026 World Cup qualification campaigns on a high with emphatic home victories over Indonesia and Kuwait respectively. In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes to set Japan, preparing for an eighth consecutive World Cup, on the way to a 6-0 victory. Takefusa Kubo added a second five minutes later and Kamada extended the lead just before the break. Soon after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino piled on and Mao Hosoya made it six. South Korea, already qualified for an 11th straight World Cup, sealed top spot in Group B after beating Kuwait 4-0 to complete an unbeaten campaign. Jeon Jin-woo scored after 33 minutes at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in added a second soon after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also got on the scoresheet. In Asia's third round of qualification, the top two from each of the three groups of six progress automatically to the World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan and South Korea have qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Australia, the only team to beat Japan in qualifying, later joined them with an impressive 2-1 win in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis will join the other five teams that finished third and fourth in a fourth qualifying stage with Asia having two remaining automatic places. UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Indonesia already had spots booked and Oman claimed the last with a 97th-minute equaliser against Palestine in neutral Jordan, despite being down to ten men, edging out their putative hosts. Elsewhere, China finished off another disappointing campaign with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in Chongqing in a game between teams already eliminated from contention.
