China faced Australia in one of eight Asian qualifiers that served no purpose in determining progression to the fourth phase. The visiting Chinese went all out to preserve some semblance of pride after having already been eliminated, but Group A winners Australia definitely did not bring a full squad for the outing. “It's a chance for the young boys to come through. These are the future and it's a chance for the Australian public to see what we've got coming through.” -Michael Beauchamp, one of the Australian young guns
Unfortunately for the Aussie public, the Chinese took full advantage of the yellow-card suspensions of Mark Schwarzer, David Carney, and Luke Wilkshire. A goal in the first quarter hour proved to be the difference, and the Chinese won 1-0.
Bahrain visited Japan in rainy Saitama. With both teams having already qualified, it did not appear that either team would go all out. The game seemed destined to remain scoreless until the Japanese scored in the final minute of regulation for a 1-0. Their coach Takeshi Okada spoke after the match.
"In football any team will win or lose, but I really wanted to win. The players understood that and they showed heart and spirit and they satisfied me with a good result."
North Korea visited neighbors South Korea in another match between already qualified teams. Nothing occurred, and the match ended in a scoreless draw. Perhaps the two teams will provide more excitement in Round Four.
Kuwait visited Group E leaders Iran. Iran pushed a goal through fifteen minutes in, and the lead was 1-0 at the half. The Kuwaitis could not even the score and in fact dropped a 2-0 decision thanks to a stoppage time goal by the Iranians.
Turkmenistan visited Jordan in the final qualifier for both teams. The Turkmens held the home side in check for the first hour, but Jordan came alive with two goals in as many minutes to spring out to a 2-0 lead, which is what the final score came out to be.
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Surprising Singapore visited Lebanon in Beirut. The game was rough for a meaningless qualifier, with the Singaporeans grabbing three of the five yellows. The first half was scoreless, but the second half was very strange. Singapore scored first, but into their own net, giving the home fans something to enjoy at the hour mark. Ten minutes later, Lebanon scored for the first time. Unfortunately, this was also an own goal, so the score was knotted at one apiece. One minute later, Singapore scored in Lebanon’s goal, and the visiting Singaporeans won a 2-1 decision.
Thailand went to Oman with nothing to play for, put they got off to the best possible start. They scored on a penalty kick less than five minutes into the game. They took the lead into the half, but the Omanis would not bow out quietly. Thailand took three yellows to try to ebb the turnaround tide, but Oman scored two goals in the second half and won 2-1.
Uzbekistan took their 7-0-0 record into Saudi Arabia for their final third round match. The Saudis took the opportunity to dust the complacent Uzbeks in style, scoring twice in each half to not only win 4-0, but to also take the group crown by virtue of goal differential over Uzbekistan. Nevertheless, both teams are moving on to the fourth stage.
Goal scorers:
China: Sun 12
Japan: Uchida 90
Iran: Nekounam 16, Rezaei 90+2
Jordan: Mahmoud 66, 67
Singapore: Dayoub 72 OG (Lebanon); Wilkinson 73
Lebanon: Khaizan 62 OG (Singapore)
Oman: Amad Ali 58, 84
Thailand: Sripan 3 PK
Saudi Arabia: Autef 7; Al Hawsawi 37, 87; Al Harthi 56
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