China’s National Team Secures Back-to-Back Wins as Japan Dominates Asian World Cup Qualifiers
A dramatic late goal secures victory for China, while Japan maintains its commanding lead in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The fifth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers saw a mix of thrilling victories and frustrating draws across Groups A, B, and C. China’s national team celebrated ahard-fought 1-0 away win against Bahrain, securing their second consecutive victory and lifting them off the bottom of Group C. Meanwhile, Japan continued their dominant form with a resounding 4-0 victory over Indonesia, solidifyingtheir position at the top of the group.
The China-Bahrain match, played on November 14th, was a tense affair until the final moments. A dramatic turn of events unfolded in the 87th minute whenBahrain’s Haram appeared to have scored, only for the goal to be overturned by VAR (Video Assistant Referee). Just four minutes later, China launched a swift counter-attack. A precise low cross from Wang Haijian found Zhang Yuning unmarked in the box, and his composed finish secured the crucial winning goal. This victory not only marks two consecutive wins for the national team but also significantly improves their chances of qualifying for the World Cup, moving them out of last place in their group.
Elsewhere in Group C, Japan showcased their superior strength with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Indonesia. Australia and Saudi Arabiaplayed out a goalless draw, leaving the group standings as follows: Japan leads with 13 points, followed by Australia, Saudi Arabia, and China, all tied on 6 points but separated by goal difference. Bahrain sits fifth with 5 points, and Indonesia remains at the bottom with 3 points.
Group A saw Iran maintain their top spot with a 3-2 victory over Uzbekistan, while Qatar edged out Uzbekistan 3-2 and the UAE secured a comfortable 3-0 win against Kyrgyzstan. In Group B, South Korea defeated Kuwait 3-1, while Oman narrowly beat Palestine 1-0, and Iraq and Jordan played out a goalless draw. South Korea leads Group B with 13 points.
The top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the World Cup. The third and fourth-placed teams from each group will then compete in a fourth qualifying stage for the remaining spots. With 10 rounds in total, the sixth round of matches is scheduled for November 19th-20th, with a highly anticipated clash between China and Japan in China. The upcoming match promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams, with China aiming to continue their momentum and Japan lookingto maintain their dominant position.
Conclusion:
The fifth round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers delivered exciting results and shifted the dynamics within the groups. While Japan’s dominance remains unchallenged, China’s resurgence offers a glimmer of hope for their World Cup aspirations. The upcoming matches will be pivotal indetermining the final standings and the teams that will progress to the next stage of qualification. The intense competition and dramatic moments highlight the excitement and unpredictability of this crucial phase of the World Cup qualifying process.
References:
- Xinhua News Agency. (2024, November 16). 世预赛亚洲区综合：国足两连胜 日本强势领跑. [Link to Xinhua News Agency article if available] (Note: This reference would include a direct link to the original Xinhua article if accessible online.)
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