Japan’s national football team maintained its clean slate in World Cup qualification.
The team led by Bundesliga professionals Ko Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Ritsu Doan (SC Freiburg) won 2-0 (1-0) in Saudi Arabia. With nine points from three games, the Samurai Blue clearly lead Group C ahead of Australia (4).
To the match center: Saudi Arabia vs. Japan
Frankfurt’s Europa League winner Daichi Kamada, who is now playing again under then coach Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace, took the lead (14th). Koki Ogawa (81st) followed up. Japan had already achieved only victories in the previous qualifying rounds; the success in Jeddah was the tenth in a row.
Statistics Japan vs. Saudi Arabia flash score
Australia celebrates its first victory in qualifying
Behind the Japanese is Australia, which achieved its first victory after a botched start with just one point from two games and the resignation of national coach Graham Arnold. In the first game under new coach Tony Popovic, they won 3-1 (1-1) in Adelaide against China. Captain Jackson Irvine (FC St. Pauli) was in the starting line-up, as was Bayern’s talent Nestor Irankunda.
To the match center: Australia vs. China
South Korea is also well on the way to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Hong Myung-Bo’s team won 2-0 (1-0) in Jordan and is now at the top of Group B with seven points. Mainz’s Lee Jae-Sung (38th) and Oh Hyeon-Gyu (68th). ) scored the hits.
To the match center: Jordan vs. South Korea
