Sports Japan grew to alter into the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.
Second-half of goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo ensured the Samurai Blue secured a suite in Asia Community C’s top two automated qualification areas.
At its eighth successive World Cup, Japan joins co-hosts the US, Canada and Mexico within the expanded forty eight-team event.
“Thanks to the players for their efforts and the fans for their support,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu acknowledged. “We knew that if we persevered that the goals would come. We will try and win our three remaining games and grow as a team.”
Bahrain coach Dragan Talajic acknowledged, “It is not surprising that Japan has qualified, as it is a high quality team. They will achieve great results at the World Cup.”
Earlier, 2nd-positioned Australia took a immense step in the direction of a seventh look by defeating Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney within the visitor’s first game below new coach Patrick Kluivert.
Indonesia’s Kevin Diks missed a penalty within the eighth minute, and 10 minutes later Martin Boyle made no mistake along with his set aside kick to position the Socceroos ahead.
Nishan Velupillay and Jackson Irvine scored earlier than the spoil and Lewis Miller made it 4-0 on the hour. Ole Romeny pulled one reduction for Indonesia earlier than Irvine grabbed his 2nd and the hosts’ fifth.
The tip two from every of the three six-team teams within the third round of Asian qualifying come to the World Cup whereas the third- and fourth-positioned teams come to but any other stage to compete for 2 extra areas.
South Korea stayed on top of Community B and never astray for an 11th successive World Cup look despite drawing with Oman 1-1 in Goyang, neutral north of Seoul.
Ahead Hwang Hee-chan put South Korea ahead neutral earlier than the spoil and Oman earned a degree by Ali Al-Busaidi’s Eightieth-minute aim.
“People may think this qualification round is easy but we have to work so hard for every match,” South Korea captain Son Heung-min acknowledged. “A match like this can teach us a lesson. We have to take whatever positive we can from this.”
Reporting by The Linked Press.
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