AFC Matchday Four Highlights

Group A

Jordan 2 Singapore 0

A capacity crowd of 19,000 watched Jordan clinch a spot in the fourth round of Asian qualifying with a 2-0 win over the already eliminated Singapore. Ahmed Hayel scored the first goal on a great solo run and Amer Deeb added his fourth goal of qualifying in the second half.



Iraq 1 China 0

Playing in Qatar, Iraq all but locked up the other advancement spot in this group thanks to a 92nd minute goal from Younis Mahmoud. For China, it appears to be the end of another disappointing qualifying campaign for the world's most populous country and possibly the end of the brief reign of Jose Antonio Camacho as manager.



Group B

U.A.E. 0 South Korea 2

U.A.E.'s miserable group stage continued with another loss to South Korea by a 2-0 scoreline. They did put in a better performance this time around however, holding the Koreans scoreless for the first 88 minutes. Then, South Korea finally made the breakthrough thanks to Lee Keun-Ho before star player Park Chu-Young added another in injury time.



Kuwait 0 Lebanon 1

Lebanon's stunning journey continued with yet another upset win. This 1-0 road victory puts them in contention for advancing out of the group, a notion that would have been laughed at prior to the start of group play. For Kuwait, they started off so brightly in this round, but now face a fierce scrap to get out of the group.



Group C
Tajikistan 0 Japan 4

Japan clinched progression to the next round in style with another rout of Tajikistan. Shinji Okazaki tallied two more goals in the 4-0 victory, bringing his total to five in qualifying. Yasuyuki Konno and Ryoichi Maeda were the other goalscorers for the 2011 Asian Cup champions. Meanwhile, Tajikistan still has not scored a goal in the group stage while conceding 17.



Uzbekistan 1 North Korea 0

Uzbekistan remained unbeaten in its qualifying campaign while securing a spot in the fourth round with a 1-0 victory against North Korea. Timur Kapadze had the lone goal of the match early in the second half. The North Koreans become the first side that reached the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be eliminated in qualifying for the 2014 edition.



Group D

Oman 1 Australia 0

A sparse crowd of under 5,000 witnessed possibly the biggest shock of the third round as Oman clawed its way back into the thick of things in group D with a stunning 1-0 triumph over mighty Australia. Amad Al Hosni was the hero for the home side as his goal early in the match proved to be the difference. The loss is the first for Australia in qualifying while it is also Oman's first win of round three.



Saudi Arabia 3 Thailand 0

It took Saudi Arabia almost an hour, but they finally should glimpses of the quality side they have been for so long. Naif Hazazi, Ahmed Al-Fraidi and Mohammed Noor helped power the Saudi's offense with goals. The win will help alleviate some fears in the Saudi camp, but they still have work to do if they are to advance. Thailand's dreams took a major hit, however they are still in decent position if they can get the results they need.



Group E

Qatar 4 Indonesia 0

Qatar cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over the eliminated Indonesia at home. Mohammed Razak opened the scoring with a half hour gone in the match before Khalfan Ibrahim added the first of his two goals just a few minutes later. Sebastian Soria was the final goalscorer for the 2022 World Cup hosts who are in line to be the second team to advance out of group E. Meanwhile, Indonesia is still pointless in the third round and has not solved its defensive frailties yet.



Bahrain 1 Iran 1

Iran snatched a draw in Bahrain at the very last second to remain unbeaten in qualifying at stay at the top of group E. Bahrain seemed poised for the upset after taking the lead right before the halftime break through Mahmood Al Ajmi. However, Iran equalized in added time thanks to Mojtaba Jabbari. The draw deals a serious blow to Bahrain's chances of advancing to the fourth round.