Tag: korea republic

[ad_1] Japan and Australia strode towards the next stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup but South Korea dropped points despite leading through talisman Son Heung-min. Later, Iran thrashed Turkmenistan, Asian champions Qatar beat Kuwait and Saudi Arabia won against Tajikistan as the Middle East's heavyweights remained unbeaten. And Palestine, their supporters in Gaza reeling from the Israel-Hamas war, crashed five unanswered goals past a porous Bangladesh for their first win in Group I.In Tokyo, Germany-based midfielder Ao Tanaka scored the only goal after two minutes to give Japan a nervy 1-0 win over North Korea.With three wins from three, Japan are firmly on course to reach the third stage of qualifying for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.North Korea, ...

[ad_1] Son Heung-min and South Korea must move on from their turbulent Asian Cup when they return to World Cup qualifying Thursday, while Japan face North Korea in a double-header that sees them travel to Pyongyang. Asian football is back on the road to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a month after Qatar retained the continental crown on home soil with a 3-1 victory over Jordan. Much has happened since South Korea were dumped out 2-0 by unfancied Jordan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup, including the sacking of coach Jurgen Klinsmann.It emerged that skipper Son and Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in had been involved in a fracas on the eve of the match, leaving the Tottenham attacker with a dislocated finger.Legendary German striker Klinsm...