Turkmenistan visited North Korea in their fourth group C match. The North Koreans found themselves tied at the half with last-place Turkmenistan, but a second-half goal saw them through to a one-goal shutout win. Turkmenistan have seen their dreams of making the World Cup extinguished and will have to watch the tournament as spectators. North Korea face Jordan at home on June 14.Qatar and China had their rematch in Tianjin, and saying that the two teams caused some bad blood would be an understatement. Qatar drew three yellows, but were outshone by the five that their hosts received. An early penalty conversion by the Qataris did not make the Chinese any more accommodating. Nevertheless, the 1-0 result held and Qatar have the inside track to advance to Round Four out of Group A along with Australia. China are down four points to the joint group leaders with only two games remaining.
“China were only lucky to secure a goalless draw against us in the last match in Doha so before this match I had thought that we could win if we didn't give them too many chances. Throughout the match our players demonstrated good disciplined play and determination for the win. We had made a proper game strategy which eventually carried us through." -Qatar coach Jorge Fossati
South Korea faced Jordan and knew that had to win to keep pace with the North Koreans; their neighbors had won earlier in the day. South Korea were up to the task, however, and stole three road points heading into another road game on June 14 against eliminated Turkmenistan. After a fast start for the Jordanians, their goalkeeper took down Oh Beom-Seok in the box and was unable to keep the penalty kick out of the net. Five yellows were flashed, including three to the disappointed hosts. The South Koreans held on for an impressive 1-0 win.With the win, they move to eight points and are tied with North Korea on top of the group. Jordan are barely hanging on to life with four points.
Saudi Arabia got off to a bad start with trouble against Uzbekistan, but they had the honor of eliminating Lebanon from World Cup contention on this night. After going down by one near the end of the half, the Saudis quickly woke up and equalized the score by the half. A veritable deluge fell in the second as the Saudis poured in three more and won 4-1, all but locking up second place in the group ahead of Singapore.
Singapore were humiliated defensively at home versus Uzbekistan a few days prior to the return match. Their defense held up in Tashkent, but the offense went missing in action. After eighty minutes of scoreless soccer, it took a second-half substitute to push the Uzbeks into the lead for the first time and into Round Four of qualifying with a 1-0 home victory. Including Round One, the Uzbeks are a perfect 6-0-0 in their campaign so far.
Unmanned Australia were in Dubai without Cahill, Neill, or Viduka to face the homeless Iraqis, who had only scraped out one point through three matches. That changed tonight. A 30-yard chip shot in the first half hour sailed over the unsuspecting Australian defense and into the net, giving Iraq the one-goal lead at the half. The Aussies had work to do considering they had zero shots in the half. That changed in the second, but the score line did not, and Iraq move to four points in the group tables, three behind both Australia and Qatar. China bring up the cellar with three.
“It was a very unlucky goal. We were in complete control and just waiting for the game to open up because Iraq had to win. We made it difficult for ourselves and now we have to win one game out of the next two.” -Australia coach Pim Verbeek
Takeshi Okada, Japan coach: “We are far from comfortably through yet, and playing away against Oman won’t be easy.”
Oman struck early in Muscat against visiting Japan. The half ended with the 1-0 scoreline. The real fun began when Oman gave up a penalty shot early in the second half and the Japanese converted for 1-1. Keiji Tamada had drawn the penalty, and his mates did not let him down. In the seventy-fourth minute, Yoshito Okubo was sent off for firing a ball in the direction of Omani keeper Ali Al Habsi. Luckily for Japan, Khalifa Avil was sent off in the ensuing scuffle, so both squads were reduced to ten men. Oman drew a second half penalty of their own. Fawzi Bashir kicked the penalty but was stonewalled by Japanese keeper Seigo Narazaki and the score held at 1-1.
“We paid for not taking our chances. The players battled well in the heat so we just have to accept the draw.” –Takeshi Okada
Thailand visited Bahrain with no points through three matches and with little hope left of survival. They left with left hope of surviving, but at least their draw stopped Bahrain from guaranteeing a spot in Round Four for the time being. Abdulla Fatadi was sent off for the home side in minute fifty-six and Thailand took advantage with the game’s first goal. An equalizer two minutes later made up the final score of 1-1. Thailand’s Teeratep Winothai was booted for a red card in stoppage time, adding to the Thai haul of four yellow cards. Bahrain have ten points, Japan have seven, Oman have four, and Thailand have one.
Iran scored a surprising result in Abu Dhabi against their hosts, United Arab Emirates, the current group leaders. The Iranians did so without the suspended Teymourian or the injured Mahdavikia and Karimi. Even though the Emiratis completely dominated the pitch for the duration of the game, all of their chances went begging whereas Iran scored on its only opportunity in the first half. Still, conversions are what count, and Iran jumped into the group lead with six points, one ahead of the Emiratis and the Syrians. Kuwait is not far behind either. All in all, this group is the most evenly matched of the five in Asia’s third round.
Goal scorers:
North Korea: Choe 72
Qatar: Quintana 14 PK
South Korea: Park C.H. 22 PK
Saudi Arabia: Al Qahtani 44, 90; Hawsawi 62; Tukar 84
Lebanon: El Ali 42
Uzbekistan: Geynrikh 80
Iraq: Emad Mohammed 28
Oman: Ahmed Mubarak 11
Japan: Endo 53
Thailand: Thonglao 65
Bahrain: Isa 67
Iran: Zandi 8
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