DOHA: South Korea booked their place at the World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday after Paulo Bento’s side beat Syria 2-0 in Dubai to confirm their progress to a 10th consecutive finals.

Second-half goals from Kim Jin-su and Kwon Chang-hoon ensured the Koreans continue a run of successive qualifications that stretches back to Mexico in 1986 as they wrapped up a top-two finish in Group ‘A’ of Asia’s preliminaries.

The South Koreans join Iran in confirming their place at November’s finals after Dragan Skocic’s side claimed their ticket for Qatar on Thursday.

Only the top two finishers in each of Asia’s two qualifying groups can secure guaranteed berths at the finals, while the third-placed nations will face off for the right to meet South American opposition in an intercontinental playoff.

Kim Jin-su put the Koreans in front eight minutes into the second half, the Jeonbuk Motors left back rising to meet Kim Tae-hwan’s cross from the right and power his header home.

Kwon Chang-hoon made sure of the win 18 minutes from fulltime with a dipping left-footed strike from outside the area that bounced beyond goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma.

Iran defeated the United Arab Emirates 1-0 through a Mehdi Taremi goal to remain on top of the Group ‘A’ standings and leave Bert van Marwijk’s side third on nine points.

Van Marwijk’s team hold a three-point lead over Lebanon, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in Sidon.

COSTLY DRAW FOR AUSSIES

In Group ‘B’, a first-half goal from Takumi Minamino set Japan on the way to beating Saudi Arabia 2-0 at Saitama Stadium and keeping the hosts on course for a seventh successive World Cup appearance.

Minamino’s goal from close range after 31 minutes was created by Junya Ito. The Belgian-based winger then added the second soon after the restart with a fierce shot from the edge of the area to seal a first defeat for the Saudis in the group.

Saudi Arabia, who would have qualified for a sixth World Cup with a victory, still lead the group with 19 points, one more than Japan.

Australia allowed a late goal and settled for a 2-2 draw with Oman in Muscat. Australia stay third but moved onto 15 points.

The Socceroos took an early lead through Jamie Maclaren’s penalty but Abdullah Fawaz equalized for the hosts soon after the restart. While Aaron Mooy restored Australia’s lead with 13 minutes remaining, Fawaz earned Oman a point with a spot kick after 89 minutes.

Last-placed Vietnam, who had previously lost all of their seven games in Group ‘B’, defeated China 3-1 in Hanoi. The defeat ended China’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup for only the second time.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2022