Here are the results of the first leg for the second round of AFC World Cup qualifying. The second legs will be held on July 28th. The home team is listed first while the team's FIFA ranking as of June 27th is in parenthesis.
China (75th) 7
Laos (174th) 2
A quick look at the score appears to show an easy win for the Chinese, however they did struggle with Laos. Laos scored the first two goals of the game before China pulled one back just before halftime. The Chinese then erupted for six unanswered in the second half, with Yang Xu finishing with a hat-trick. Surprisingly, only 13,500 Chinese fans came out for this game held at Tuodong Stadium which seats 40,000. Going into the second leg, it appears the Chinese have done enough to advance to round three as they attempt to reach their first World Cup since 2002. Match report and highlights
Syria (109th) 2
Tajikistan (135th) 1
This match was played in Jordan due to the political instability in Syria. Syria would take the lead just before halftime when George Mourad, who previously had played twice for Sweden's national team in friendlies, scored his first goal in four appearances for Syria. Kamael Saedov equalized for Tajikistan with a fantastic left-footed shot just two minutes into the second half before Raja Rafe headed in winner in the 77th although the tie is definitely up for grabs in the second leg in Tajikistan. Match report and highlights
United Arab Emirates (110th) 3
India (147th) 0
UAE took a significant step toward progressing with an easy 3-0 win at home. Two first-half penalties in ten minutes was all they needed and a late goal in the 82nd appeared to put the tie out of reach. For India, unless they are able to overturn this deficit it will end yet another disappointing campaign for the second most populous nation in the world. Match report and highlights
Thailand (123rd) 1
Palestine (167th) 0
In one of the more evenly matched ties, Thailand used a 19th minute goal from midfielder Jakkraphan Kaewprom to pick up the tight win against Palestine. His right-footed shot across goal appeared to take a deflection and got by keeper Mohammed Shbair. Thailand had numerous chances to extend their lead, hitting the bar twice and having a penalty kept out by Shbair, and may rue those missed opportunities if Palestine can win by two or more goals on Thursday. Match report and highlights
Oman (107th) 2
Myanmar (167th) 0
Oman cruised to a 2-0 win, which sets them up nicely for advancing. A header from a corner kick could not be cleared off the line in the 20th minute, which gave Oman the lead. In the second half they extended their lead after Myanmar could not clear an indirect free kick effectively. Amad Al Hosni scored his 37th international goal with the opener and Ismail Sulaiman Al Ajmi scored the second, his 12th international goal. Match report and highlights
Lebanon (177th) 4
Bangladesh 163rd) 0
Don't be fooled by Lebanon's low FIFA ranking, they are much better than what they are ranked. Two goals in each half were plenty and should put Lebanon into the next round easily. Match report and highlgihts
Jordan (84th) 9
Nepal (148th) 0
Jordan had the biggest win of all the games and should be assured of advancement after their nine goal win. Hassan Abdel Fattah scored four goals in the match, getting the scoring started in the 10th minute and concluding it as well with his 93rd minute tally. Nepal will try to salvage some pride in the second leg. Match report and highlights
Uzbekistan (86th) 4
Kyrgyzstan (169th) 0
Uzbekistan, a popular sleeper choice for qualification, won the first leg of the battle of the stan's on the strength of three second half goals. Uzbekistan completely dominated the match from the start, but could not put one in until Alexander Geynrikh scored in the 28th minute. The floodgates opened in the second half and Uzbekistan seems assured of advancing to the next round. Match report and highlights
Iraq (96th) 2
Yemen (131st) 0
A goal in each half spurred Iraq by Yemen as the 2007 Asian Cup Champions look to qualify for the second time in history. A ninth minute goal from Hawar Mulla Mohammed started things for the Iraqis before a 63rd minute team goal ended by Alaa Al-Zahra ensured the victory, which gives Yemen a tough deficit to overturn in the second leg. Match report and highlights
Saudi Arabia (92nd) 3
Hong Kong (146th) 0
Saudia Arabia erased some of the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2010 finals and their performance in the 2011 Asian Cup by dispatching Hong Kong at home. Two goals in added time in the first half sent them on their way, before a third just two minutes into the second half sealed the win and perhaps the tie. Match report and highlights
Kuwait (102nd) 3
Philippines 159th) 0
Kuwait, another potential sleeper, defeated the upstart Philippines. Yousef Nasser scored the opener in the 16th minute. In the second half, Musaed Neda extended the lead finishing a goalmouth scramble. Fahad Al Ebrahim scored a great solo goal that should thwart any hope of a Philippines comeback in the second leg. Match report and highlights
Qatar (94th) 3
Vietnam (140th) 0
The 2022 host nation eased to a three goal win against Vietnam. Mohammed Kasola scored an early goal off a set-piece to give Qatar the lead. In the second half, Meshal Mubarak doubled the host's advantage with a shot from an acute angle. Yusef Ali may have ensured advancement with his goal in the 68th minute. Match report and highlights
Iran (50th) 4
Maldives 151st) 0
The highest ranked team in this round had no problem with the Maldives. Karim Ansarifard scored the first two goals, one just four minutes in and the second in the 62nd, as Iran looks to get back to the World Cup after missing the 2010 finals. Ali Karimi, former Asian player of the year, and Saeid Daghighi were the two other scorers for Iran. Match report and highlights
Turkmenistan (143rd) 1
Indonesia (132nd) 1
There is everything to play for in the second leg of this match up as these two sides played to a tight draw. The home side took the lead in the 12th minute through Vyacheslav Krendelyov, but Muhammad Ilham would equalize in the 30th minute for Indonesia. Turkmenistan had a man sent off in the 76th minute, but Indonesia could not capitalize and the teams head to Jakarta. Match report and highlights
Singapore (142nd) 5
Malaysia (144th) 3
The craziest game in the round once again goes to Malaysia, who fell in this eight-goal thriller. Malaysia took the lead in the very first minute only to give it up six minutes later. Singapore appeared as if they would run away with the leg, as they took a 4-1 lead. However, Malaysia struck back with goals in the 70th and 71st minutes to cut the deficit to 4-3 to set up a thrilling finish. Aleksandar Duric would put the game away in the 82nd minute although this tie is far from over. Each side had a player sent off in the game in this derby between neighboring nations. Match report and highlights
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