Uzbekistan and Jordan Qualify for First World Cup; South Korea Also Advances
Uzbekistan and Jordan have secured their first-ever berths in the FIFA World Cup, while regular qualifiers South Korea also confirmed their place in next year’s tournament in North America.
Uzbekistan clinched their spot with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates, ensuring a top-two finish in Group A alongside already-qualified Iran. The result marked a historic achievement for Uzbekistan, who have been striving for this moment since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov played a crucial role, making several key saves to keep the UAE at bay.
Meanwhile, South Korea defeated Iraq 2-0 in Basra, thanks to goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu. This victory not only secured their qualification from Group B but also allowed Jordan to celebrate their own progression. Jordan triumphed over Oman with a commanding 3-0 win, featuring a hat-trick from Ali Olwan. However, they had to wait for the outcome of the Korea-Iraq match before they could officially celebrate.
Australia is on the brink of qualification as well, having edged out Japan 1-0 in Perth with a lone goal from Aziz Behich. This win keeps Australia three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who defeated Bahrain 2-0. With one match remaining, Australia will advance to their sixth consecutive World Cup finals if they can maintain their lead.
In other qualifying news, Qatar secured their advancement to the next round with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Iran, while Indonesia continued their campaign with a 1-0 win over China. Palestine also kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win against Kuwait.
