Bahrain stun Australia; Japan hit seven | AFC Qualifiers

Tuesday 10 March 2023

Bahrain pulled off a shock win over Australia and Japan kept a grip on their hopes of automatic qualification with a big win over Mongolia on Tuesday in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Bahrain, chasing only their second win in Group B, stunned Asian Cup holders Australia 1-0 in Manama to move up to four points and level with their opponents.

Jamie Maclaren missed a great chance for Australia in the opening minutes and was punished as Abdulla Yaser headed in the only goal of the game in the 47th minute.

Japan show their class

Group F leaders Japan showed their class with a comprehensive 7-0 win over whipping boys Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar.

The win was Japan's third without conceding a goal and moved them six points clear of second-placed Saudi Arabia, who play China later on Tuesday.

Sho Sasaki was the star of the show for Japan, as he scored twice in the first half, while Takuma Asano, Ao Tanaka, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma also found the net.

Tottenham's Son scores

Son Heung-min scored twice as South Korea kept their hopes of automatic qualification alive with a 2-0 win over Iran in Seoul.

Son's goals came in the second half, with the Tottenham Hotspur forward breaking the deadlock in the 54th minute and doubling the lead in the 79th minute.

The win moved South Korea up to second place in Group A, level on points with Iran but behind on goal difference.