Kenyan-born Awer Mabil scored the opening goal in the ninth minute, while Martin Boyle and Mitchel Duke took over Group B’s record in the third and final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers in the second half.
Australia’s Awer Mabil shoots to score during a FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier between Australia and Oman in Doha, Qatar. AP
Doha, Qatar: Australia continued their relentless march towards next year’s World Cup in Qatar after beating Oman 3-1 and setting a world record of eleven straight wins in qualifying on Thursday. </ Kenyan-born Awer Mabil scored the opening goal in the ninth minute, while Martin Boyle and Mitchel Duke took over Group B's record in the third and final round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers in the second half.
Australia had survived the previous qualifying rounds with eight wins at a trot, while the success on Thursday against Oman ensured that it remained perfect with three wins from as many games in the last round.
They overtook Mexico, Spain and Germany, who achieved 10 wins in a row in their qualifying campaigns for the 2006, 2010 and 2018 World Cups.
Australia is tied with Saudi Arabia, but retains its top position in terms of au f the goal difference in a very competitive group in which Japan is also fighting for the two automatic places.
Super sub Firas al-Buraikan scored the only goal in the 71st minute when Saudi Arabia Japan scored 0-1 – Missed defeat.
It was the third win in a row for the Saudis, while Japan – who had previously lost 1-0 to Oman in the tournament – suffered a second defeat.
The Saudis, who in The King Abdulla Sports City in Jeddah played in front of almost sold out spectators, dominated possession from the start and with a little luck could have won more.
However, it was Japan that scored the first real shot on goal, but Gaki Shibasaki’s ambitious attempt was over Saudi goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais skillfully turned more than 30 meters for a corner.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Madu scored a nice header after a cross from Abdulrahman Ghareeb, but Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda was able to ve his shot with a reflex
Al-Owais and Gonda continued to shine for their teams before al-Buraikan broke the impasse with a cool blow.
After coming on for Saleh al-Shehri in the 64th minute, he took advantage the 21-year-old striker took a misdirected back pass from Shibakasi, advanced several meters on the left flank and shot the ball through Gonda’s legs.
In Sharjah, Wu Lei scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner as China Vietnam defeated 3-2 for the first time after two straight defeats.
The Espanyol striker kept China’s qualifying hopes alive with his fifth-minute injury-time goal after Vietnam fought back two goals behind had.
Tottenham star Son Heung-min scored a winning goal in Ansanto in the 89th minute and gave South Korea a nervous 2-1 home win against Syria.
The Talisman striker saved the Koreans from one too deep st disappointing draw and means they lead Group A after two wins and one draw in three games.
The home team dominated the first half, but both teams went goalless into the break after Syria goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma made several smart stops Put in.
In the 48th minute, the tide changed in favor of the home side when Hwang In-beom shot with his left foot from outside the box and sent the ball into the opposite corner to the scorer.
It looked that way Looked like the game would end in a 1-0 win for Son and his side, but then Syria’s Omar Khrbin equalized in the 84th minute, stunned South Korea.
Premier League star Son stepped forward when his team needed him the most and met the winner at close range.
Iran beat the UAE 1-0 and remained perfect with three wins in as many games.
Mehdi Taremi scored in the 70 .Minute in Dubai the decisive goal when the Iranians remained leaders of Group A with nine points.
New date:
October 08, 2021 10:57:57 AM IST
KEYWORDS:
Mueller was infected with COVID-19 in February at FC Bayern Munich’s Club World Cup in Qatar. He flew back to Germany and went to quarantine in the basement of his house near Munich to avoid infecting his wife.
Yoshida had angry words with some home fans after Thursday’s qualifying defeat in Jeddah after they mocked him during a post-game interview.
It was a ninth win out of nine for the Selecao and extended their lead in the South American qualifying group to eight points over unbeaten Argentina, who drew 0-0 in Paraguay.
Sign up for a weekly curated briefing on key strategic matters from around the world.
Keywords:
