Japan march on with easy Thailand win
Mar 28, 2017 - 4:48 PM Japan has tightened their grip at the top of Asia World Cup qualifying Group B with a 4-0 win over Thailand in Saitama on Tuesday.First-half goals at Saitama Stadium from Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki gave Japan a solid foundation for a third successive win.
Yuya Kubo added a third just before the hour, and defender Maya Yoshida headed in a fourth just before fulltime.
There was still time for Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to save a Teerasil Dangda penalty.
Second-place Saudi Arabia face Iraq in Jeddah on Wednesday (0630, AEDT).
A win for the hosts will see them move three points ahead of the Socceroos, who sit in third spot on the table following Tuesday's 2-0 win over the UAE.
South Korea stayed second in Group A with a 1-0 win over Syria thanks to a fourth-minute goal from defender Hong Jeong-ho.
After losing in China five days earlier, South Korea returned to winning ways for under-pressure coach Uli Stielike in Seoul.
Syria, fourth in the group, had chances through Alaa Al Shbli in the first half, and Firas Al Khatib hitting the crossbar in injury time.
China's chances of qualifying have virtually ended with a 1-0 loss to Iran - the first defeat in competitive action for coach Marcello Lippi since he was appointed in November.
China has just five points from seven of the 10 games.
Iran maintained its four-point lead in Group A thanks to a Mehdi Taremi strike just after halftime, which sent the vast majority of the near 100,000-strong crowd at Azadi Stadium wild.
Under coach Carloz Queiroz, Iran has yet to concede a goal in seven games. The team needs just one win in its final three games to secure a place at a fifth World Cup.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Mutko drama no problem for World Cup: FIFA Dec 26
- England must be more dangerous: ex-keeper Dec 24
- Peru's Guerrero clear for World Cup duty Dec 21
- Australian or not, hire the best man: Ange Dec 21
- FIFA clear Peru skipper for World Cup Dec 20
- Spain's World Cup place remains at risk Dec 18
- Spain could be banned from World Cup Dec 15
- Arnold dismisses report of Socceroos offer Dec 13
- Half-million dollar WC carrot for Germany Dec 13
- Scolari linked to Socceroos coaching job Dec 12
- Peru fined for lasers aimed at All Whites Dec 12
- Nigeria docked but World Cup unaffected Dec 12