Asia now gets four automatic places and a playoff spot in the FIFA World Cup, meaning that there might be a first-time participant from AFC in Brazil. The third round of qualifying got underway over the weekend and featured no major upsets, with Japan winning their match at home against Oman. Japan plays again on Friday in another match that should be a guaranteed three points, at home against Jordan.
AFC World Cup Qualifying: Australia, South Korea Start Third Round Campaigns
Asian World Cup qualifying continues on Friday with four games. Japan, Australia and South Korea are all in action.
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South Korea was also off during the first day of qualifying and plays their first match during this round. They face a tougher test than either of Asia’s other two giants with an away match against Qatar. The 2022 World Cup hosts won their first match of this stage of qualifying, away to Lebanon, and they feature a wide variety of naturalized citizens on their team. Roughly half of the Qatar squad was actually born in Qatar.
Iran and Iraq, both of whom have very solid chances of qualifying for the World Cup, are sitting out this round of fixtures. Here’s the complete schedule, all times ET.
Japan vs. Jordan - 6:30 a.m.
Oman vs. Australia - 9 a.m.
Lebanon vs. Uzbekistan - 10 a.m.
Qatar vs. South Korea - 12:15 p.m.
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