Japan hold Australia, S. Korea and China win in World Cup qualifying

Australia had never beaten Japan on Japanese soil but a Shogo Taniguchi own goal just before the hour gave the visitors a shock lead in front of a crowd of 60,000.

Cameron Burgess then scored an own goal with less than 15 minutes remaining to hand Japan an equalizer that keeps them on top of Group C on 10 points from four games.

Japan's Shogo Taniguchi (L), Australia's Jordan Bos (C), and Japan's Ko Itakura compete for the ball during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying football match between Australia and Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by AP

Australia are second on five points, having taken one win and one draw in two games since new coach Tony Popovic replaced Graham Arnold last month.

Popovic said he was happy with the point in Japan after "a very resolute display defensively".

"They have a first 11 that are all players that play in top leagues in Europe," he said of Japan. "To keep them to the minimum -- they will always have their moments because they have the quality –- it was a very good display."

The draw ended Japan's 100% start to the third round – they had scored 14 goals previously – but they remain well on course to reach an eighth successive World Cup.

Also in Group C, China beat Indonesia 2-1 at home to revive their qualification hopes, while Saudi Arabia dropped yet more points at home, this time in a goalless draw with Bahrain in Jeddah.

Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari failed to convert a first-half penalty, placing ever more pressure on manager Roberto Mancini. The Italian’s side are third in the group, on five points, but have a solitary win from four matches.

The top two from each of the three Asian qualifying groups automatically reach the World Cup in North America.

Japan are away in their next two qualifying games, against Indonesia and China next month. Australia are at home to Saudi Arabia before traveling to face Bahrain, who beat them 1-0 in the opening game of the group.

Elsewhere, South Korea are on course for 2026 and remain top of Group B after a 3-2 home win over Iraq, despite being without talisman Son Heung-min through injury.

Also in Group B, Jordan swept aside Oman 4-0 in Amman to leapfrog Iraq into second, with the two teams level on seven points, three behind South Korea.

Unbeaten record

Meanwhile, bottom team Palestine netted a 93rd-minute equalizer to hold Kuwait to a draw in Qatar. Palestine play their home matches at a neutral venue because of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

In Group A, Iran moved top with a 4-1 victory against Qatar in Dubai. The match was originally scheduled for the city of Mashhad, but was last week moved to the UAE because of escalating tensions in the region.

Sardar Azmoun and Mohammad Mohebi each scored twice for Iran, who had to overturn Almoez Ali's early goal to maintain their unbeaten record in the group.

The six-time World Cup participants sit at the summit with 10 points from a possible 12. They move ahead of Uzbekistan on goal difference after Srecko Katanec’s side saw off 10-man UAE 1-0 in Tashkent.

Otabek Shukurov's 76th-minute penalty sealed Uzbekistan a third win from four matches as they bid to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history. The UAE and Qatar stay third and fourth, respectively, six points off the top two.

In the group's other match, Kyrgyzstan defeated North Korea 1-0 in Bishkek to register their first win of the campaign.