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Observer
2 days ago
- Sport
- Observer
Uzbekistan, Jordan qualify for WC for first time, South Korea through
DUBAI: Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on Thursday by qualifying for their first World Cup, while the pair will be joined in next year's tournament by perennial participants South Korea. Uzbekistan, one of the fastest-rising national teams in Asia, drew 0-0 with the UAE in Abu Dhabi to take the second automatic spot in Group A, although top place is still in play after already qualified Iran lost 1-0 to Qatar in Doha. Heading into the third round's final set of fixtures on Tuesday, Iran sit at the summit, two points ahead of Uzbekistan. The top two teams in each of the three Asian groups go straight to the World Cup, while those finishing third and fourth — the UAE and Qatar hold those slots in Group A — enter a fourth round of qualifiers. In Group B, South Korea confirmed their place in an 11th straight World Cup by defeating Iraq 2-0 in Basra. The victory, sealed by second-half goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu, means South Korea reclaim top spot from Jordan, whose 3-0 victory against Oman earlier on Thursday ultimately proved enough to secure their participation at the expanded 48-team showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Jordan's King Abdullah II congratulated the team on social media. "This historic qualification is well-deserved by our team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud," he wrote on X. "Special thanks go to our loyal fans who have been our support and encouragement." Ali Olwin netted a hat-trick as the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up etched their name in the record books. Iraq were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Ali al Hamadi's foul on Cho Yu-min was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review. South Korea's Jo Hyeon-Woo and Se-Jin celebrate after the qualifying. — Reuters Iraq sit third in Group B, with Oman and Palestine still able to progress to the fourth round of qualifying. Palestine, who defeated Kuwait 2-0 in Ardhiya, host Oman on Tuesday, while Iraq face Jordan in Amman. — Australia on brink — Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Australia will go head-to-head on Tuesday for the second automatic spot in Group C. Australia remain in pole position following their last-gasp win against group leaders Japan in Perth. Defender Aziz Behich was the home hero in front of more than 57,000 fans, rifling into the corner in the 90th minute to give Tony Popovic's side a crucial 1-0 victory. "We know there's room to grow and room to improve, but we've done something special tonight," said Popovic, who saw his team outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side. Saudi Arabia ensured the race for second place will go down to the wire courtesy of a 2-0 win against Bahrain in Riffa. Goals in either half from Musab al Juwayr and Abdulrahman al Obud saw Herve Renard's men stay three points behind second-placed Australia. However, the Saudis will have to win in Jeddah by five goals to leapfrog the Socceroos. Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold in the dugout in September, added: "We've all played a part in getting us to this point. We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off." Also in Group C, Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia kept alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since the country's independence in 1945 with a 1-0 win over China. That leaves Indonesia fourth in the group, one point behind Saudi. Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of the group and thus ending their hopes of making a second World Cup. jm/ea/iwd
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
South Korea qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup
SOUTH Korea have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with their latest win in the ongoing qualification phase. South Korea defeated 10-man Iraq 2-0 in their penultimate Group B match in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers at Basra International Stadium in Basra, southern Iraq, on Thursday (local time), Yonhap news agency reported. Substitutes Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored a goal apiece in a dominant second half for the Taegeuk Warriors. South Korea are leading Group B with 19 points from five wins and four draws, three points ahead of Jordan. The top two teams from each of the three groups in the third round will grab tickets to the World Cup, and Thursday's win assured South Korea of at least second place in Group B, regardless of their result against Kuwait in their final match in Seoul on Tuesday. South Korea will make their 11th straight appearance in the World Cup next year, with the United States, Canada and Mexico serving as co-hosts. Only Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy and Spain have had longer streaks of consecutive trips to the World Cup.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
South Korea Qualifies for 2026 World Cup After Beating Iraq
SOUTH Korea have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with their latest win in the ongoing qualification phase. South Korea defeated 10-man Iraq 2-0 in their penultimate Group B match in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers at Basra International Stadium in Basra, southern Iraq, on Thursday (local time), Yonhap news agency reported. Substitutes Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored a goal apiece in a dominant second half for the Taegeuk Warriors. South Korea are leading Group B with 19 points from five wins and four draws, three points ahead of Jordan. The top two teams from each of the three groups in the third round will grab tickets to the World Cup, and Thursday's win assured South Korea of at least second place in Group B, regardless of their result against Kuwait in their final match in Seoul on Tuesday. South Korea will make their 11th straight appearance in the World Cup next year, with the United States, Canada and Mexico serving as co-hosts. Only Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy and Spain have had longer streaks of consecutive trips to the World Cup.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Uzbekistan, Jordan earn first World Cup berths
Uzbekistan and Jordan have progressed to the World Cup finals for the first time as regular qualifiers South Korea also booked their place in North America next year with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra. Uzbekistan claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team finals with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Timur Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A of the preliminaries alongside already-qualified Iran. Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu were on target in the second half for the Koreans against 10-man Iraq and that win not only secured qualification for Hong Myung-bo's side from Group B, but confirmed Jordan would also progress. The west Asians had beaten Oman 3-0 earlier in the evening through a hat-trick from Ali Olwan, but Jamal Sellami's side had to wait for the outcome of Iraq's meeting with the Koreans before being able to celebrate their World Cup berth. Australia also stand on the cusp of a place at the finals after Aziz Behich scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth in Group C. Victory keeps Tony Popovic's side three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who won 2-0 against Bahrain in Riffa, with one game to play. Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a win that put Australia's celebrations on hold until they meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia's vastly superior goal difference means they can lose that meeting with the Saudis by up to four goals and still advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals as second-placed finishers behind the Japanese. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a string of second-half saves in Abu Dhabi to frustrate the UAE and earn his nation their first World Cup qualification since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A. They will be joined in the next phase by 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who managed a 1-0 win over 10-man Iran through Pedro Correia's 41st-minute close-range goal. Indonesia guaranteed their involvement would also continue into the fourth round with a 1-0 win over China that ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic's side. Ole Romeny's 45th-minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase. Goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali kept Palestine's chances of going through to the next round intact, with a 2-0 win over hosts Kuwait moving Ihab Abujazar's side to within one point of Oman in fourth place in Group B. The first two finishers in each of the three qualifying groups progress automatically to the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth advance to October's fourth round to battle for another two berths at the finals. Kyrgyzstan will not be among those competing for the remaining slots after their 2-2 draw with North Korea in Riyadh ended their chances of going through to the fourth round. Uzbekistan and Jordan have progressed to the World Cup finals for the first time as regular qualifiers South Korea also booked their place in North America next year with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra. Uzbekistan claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team finals with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Timur Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A of the preliminaries alongside already-qualified Iran. Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu were on target in the second half for the Koreans against 10-man Iraq and that win not only secured qualification for Hong Myung-bo's side from Group B, but confirmed Jordan would also progress. The west Asians had beaten Oman 3-0 earlier in the evening through a hat-trick from Ali Olwan, but Jamal Sellami's side had to wait for the outcome of Iraq's meeting with the Koreans before being able to celebrate their World Cup berth. Australia also stand on the cusp of a place at the finals after Aziz Behich scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth in Group C. Victory keeps Tony Popovic's side three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who won 2-0 against Bahrain in Riffa, with one game to play. Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a win that put Australia's celebrations on hold until they meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia's vastly superior goal difference means they can lose that meeting with the Saudis by up to four goals and still advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals as second-placed finishers behind the Japanese. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a string of second-half saves in Abu Dhabi to frustrate the UAE and earn his nation their first World Cup qualification since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A. They will be joined in the next phase by 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who managed a 1-0 win over 10-man Iran through Pedro Correia's 41st-minute close-range goal. Indonesia guaranteed their involvement would also continue into the fourth round with a 1-0 win over China that ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic's side. Ole Romeny's 45th-minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase. Goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali kept Palestine's chances of going through to the next round intact, with a 2-0 win over hosts Kuwait moving Ihab Abujazar's side to within one point of Oman in fourth place in Group B. The first two finishers in each of the three qualifying groups progress automatically to the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth advance to October's fourth round to battle for another two berths at the finals. Kyrgyzstan will not be among those competing for the remaining slots after their 2-2 draw with North Korea in Riyadh ended their chances of going through to the fourth round. Uzbekistan and Jordan have progressed to the World Cup finals for the first time as regular qualifiers South Korea also booked their place in North America next year with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra. Uzbekistan claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team finals with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Timur Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A of the preliminaries alongside already-qualified Iran. Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu were on target in the second half for the Koreans against 10-man Iraq and that win not only secured qualification for Hong Myung-bo's side from Group B, but confirmed Jordan would also progress. The west Asians had beaten Oman 3-0 earlier in the evening through a hat-trick from Ali Olwan, but Jamal Sellami's side had to wait for the outcome of Iraq's meeting with the Koreans before being able to celebrate their World Cup berth. Australia also stand on the cusp of a place at the finals after Aziz Behich scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth in Group C. Victory keeps Tony Popovic's side three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who won 2-0 against Bahrain in Riffa, with one game to play. Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a win that put Australia's celebrations on hold until they meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia's vastly superior goal difference means they can lose that meeting with the Saudis by up to four goals and still advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals as second-placed finishers behind the Japanese. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a string of second-half saves in Abu Dhabi to frustrate the UAE and earn his nation their first World Cup qualification since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A. They will be joined in the next phase by 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who managed a 1-0 win over 10-man Iran through Pedro Correia's 41st-minute close-range goal. Indonesia guaranteed their involvement would also continue into the fourth round with a 1-0 win over China that ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic's side. Ole Romeny's 45th-minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase. Goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali kept Palestine's chances of going through to the next round intact, with a 2-0 win over hosts Kuwait moving Ihab Abujazar's side to within one point of Oman in fourth place in Group B. The first two finishers in each of the three qualifying groups progress automatically to the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth advance to October's fourth round to battle for another two berths at the finals. Kyrgyzstan will not be among those competing for the remaining slots after their 2-2 draw with North Korea in Riyadh ended their chances of going through to the fourth round.
eNCA
3 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Uzbekistan and Jordan qualify for World Cup for first time, South Korea through
DUBAI - Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on Thursday by qualifying for their first World Cup, while the pair will be joined in next year's tournament by perennial participants South Korea. Uzbekistan, one of the fastest-rising national teams in Asia, drew 0-0 with the UAE in Abu Dhabi to take the second automatic spot in Group A, although top place is still in play after already qualified Iran lost 1-0 to Qatar in Doha. Heading into the third round's final set of fixtures on Tuesday, Iran sit at the summit, two points ahead of Uzbekistan. The top two teams in each of the three Asian groups go straight to the World Cup, while those finishing third and fourth –- the UAE and Qatar hold those slots in Group A –- enter a fourth round of qualifiers. In Group B, South Korea confirmed their place in an 11th straight World Cup by defeating Iraq 2-0 in Basra. The victory, sealed by second-half goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu, means South Korea reclaim top spot from Jordan, whose 3-0 victory against Oman earlier on Thursday ultimately proved enough to secure their participation at the expanded 48-team showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ali Olwin netted a hat-trick as the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up etched their name in the record books. Iraq were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Ali Al Hamadi's foul on Cho Yu-min was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review. Iraq sit third in Group B, with Oman and Palestine still able to progress to the fourth round of qualifying. Palestine, who defeated Kuwait 2-0 in Ardhiya, host Oman on Tuesday, while Iraq face Jordan in Amman. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Australia will go head-to-head on Tuesday for the second automatic spot in Group C. Australia remain in pole position following their last-gasp win against group leaders Japan in Perth. Defender Aziz Behich was the home hero in front of more than 57,000 fans, rifling into the corner in the 90th minute to give Tony Popovic's side a crucial 1-0 victory. Saudi Arabia ensured the race for second place will go down to the wire courtesy of a 2-0 win against Bahrain in Riffa. Goals in either half from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al Obud saw Herve Renard's men stay three points behind second-placed Australia. However, the Saudis will have to win in Jeddah by five goals to leapfrog the Socceroos. Also in Group C, Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia kept alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since the country's independence in 1945 with a 1-0 win over China. That leaves Indonesia fourth in the group, one point behind Saudi. Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of the group and thus ending their hopes of making a second World Cup.
