Another big night in Asia as Aussie, Saudi Arabia and South Korea close in on qualification

June 11 – It is another big night in Asian Qualifying tonight with Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea just one win from guaranteeing their spots in the next round of World Cup 2022 qualifying and a spot in the 2023 Asian Cup in China.

Australia who lead their group by five points over Jordan need a win over Nepal to guarantee a group win and World Cup 2022 progression. A loss to the group’s bottom side would be an upset but the Aussies would still have an opportunity to win the group with their final fixture against Jordan next Tuesday.

If Jordan beat hosts Kuwait tonight (they lead them by three points) they would be in contention for one of the best runners-up slots.

In Group D Saudi Arabia, who played in the opening game of the World Cup in Russia 2018 against the hosts, will qualify for the next stage of 2022 qualifying with a win over Singapore. They are two points ahead of Uzbekistan who face Yemen tonight. Both are expected to win.

South Korea are as good as through. The Koreans are three points ahead of Lebanon who need to win by 16 goals to take Group H on goal difference. It looks unlikely – the Koreans have yet to concede a goal in their five qualifying games.

Down to the wire

Groups C and G look as though they will go to the final matches before they are decided.

In group C Iraq currently top the table, two points ahead of rivals Iran. Iraq face Hong kong while Iran face Cambodia. Both are expected to win to set up a winner takes all showdown next Tuesday.

Group G is similarly poised. UAE went into the restarted group round needing to win all their matches to qualify. With two games left they are now just two points adrift of Vietnam. Both are expected to beat their opponents tonight (Vietnam face Malaysia, UAE face Indonesia) to set up the final game against each other next Tuesday.

Only group winners are guaranteed to the next round of Qatar 2022 qualifying. The best five placed runners up also qualify for the next round (Qatar pre-qualify as hosts despite winning their group) which will be played in two groups of six, with the top two in each group winning Qatar 2022 slots.

For the Asian Cup 2023, group winners and the best four runners-up qualify for China.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1711625119labto1711625119ofdlr1711625119owedi1711625119sni@n1711625119osloh1711625119cin.l1711625119uap1711625119

 


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