South Korea 2 Uzbekistan 1
Koo Ja-cheol's late winner spared South Korea's blushes as the hosts came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
The Augsburg midfielder rifled home in the 85th minute, much to the relief of Korea’s fans and manager Uli Steilike whose evening had threatened to end in disaster.
Marat Bikmaev had given the Uzbeks a shock lead but South Korea levelled through Nam Tae-hee before Koo’s clincher put them level on points with Group A leaders Iran, who play Syria later.
Bikmaev pounced on a defensive howler in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu had to charge out of his box to clear a loose ball, only for his effort to drop straight to the Uzbek.
And Bikmaev took his chance beautifully as his long-range chip sailed over the back-pedalling Korean goalkeeper and defenders, and straight into the hosts’ goal.
Uzbekistan then frustrated South Korea with some tight defending before Nam finally broke through in the 67th minute after a deep cross from Park Joo-ho.
And with five minutes left, towering forward Kim Shin-wook headed down a cross for Koo, who drove it past goalkeeper Aleksandr Lobanov to complete the comeback.
Thailand 2 Australia 2
Mile Jedinak’s disputed penalty saved Australia from an embarrassing defeat to Thailand as they came from behind to draw 2-2 in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Jedinak’s second successful spot kick of the night in the 65th minute rescued a point for the Asian champions, who slip out of the automatic qualifying places in Group B.
Thailand had tried to reschedule the game because of mourning for King Bhumibol Adulaydej, who died last month, but it went ahead with fans urged to adopt a respectful tone.
Many wore black and laid candles outside the stadium in memory of the king, but as a pulsating match unfolded – marked by three penalties – cheers and drums rang out.
Australia started briskly and they were rewarded with a penalty on eight minutes that was stroked home by their bearded captain Jedinak, of Aston Villa.
But Thailand struck back through star striker Teerasil Dangda, who bundled the ball into the net after a quick-fire move exposed Australia’s defensive frailties.
The goal galvanised the home side, with Thailand playing smooth patterns through the middle towards the constantly menacing Teerasil.
And just before the hour-mark, Mathew Leckie hacked down the home side’s captain Theerathon Bunmathan as he charged into the penalty box.
Teerasil swept home the penalty, sparking delirium in the stands. But Thailand’s 2-1 lead was short-lived as Jedinak also went down in the box under the merest of touches from Sirod Chatthong.
Despite Thailand’s protests, Jedinak converted the penalty and the visitors came closest to a winner when Nathan Burns struck the bar with a fizzer of a shot from outside the box.
While Australia drop to third, Thailand stay rooted to the foot of the table despite earning their first point in what was an impressive display.
Japan 2 Saudi Arabia 1
Japan beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a foul-tempered qualifier Tuesday as a debatable Hiroshi Kiyotake penalty boosted their hopes of qualifying for a sixth successive World Cup in 2018.
The hosts drew level with the Group B leaders on 10 points after a tempestuous clash in Saitama, where Kiyotake’s spot kick and a Genki Haraguchi effort eased the pressure on under-fire manager Vahid Halilhodzic.
Saudi Arabia pulled a late goal back through Omar Othman but it was not enough for the visitors to rescue a draw.
Kiyotake converted on the stroke of half time after Saudi defender Abdulmalek Al Khaibri was adjudged to have handled, despite replays showing Kiyotake’s initial shot had struck him in the chest.
The Saudis protested furiously to referee Mohammed bin Jahari of Singapore and scuffles broke out between the players, which continued as they disappeared down the tunnel at the interval.
Haraguchi effectively killed off Saudi Arabia’s hopes of pinching a point with a sharp finish after 80 minutes.
Othman’s 90th-minute strike crept across the line in a moment of cruel irony for Japan, who had a similar effort disallowed in their 2-1 defeat to UAE.
But Saudi Arabia hopes of snatching a draw were dealt a blow when Osama Hawsawi saw red for a clumsy challenge in injury time.
Saudi Arabia, who have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, could have opened a six-point lead over Japan.
China 0 Qatar 0
Marcello Lippi’s hopes of leading China to the next World Cup received a serious blow when they were held 0-0 by Qatar in Kunming on Tuesday.
Lippi is tasked with setting China on the road to football greatness but there was no dream start for the Italian in his first game in charge.
Instead China remain rooted to the foot of Group A with two points from five games and scant hopes of reaching Russia 2018 even with Lippi, who coached Italy to the 2006 World Cup title.
A packed Kunming crowd came with high expectations but Qatar’s Andres Quintana caused early panic before his attempt from a corner went wide.
Jiang Zhipeng’s long-range free kick nearly caught Qatari goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb napping before Wu Lei also drove a fierce shot narrowly off-target.
China continued to carve out chances after the break and Qatar had Al Sheeb’s instinctive save to thank when he tipped Wu Xi’s diving header over the bar.
Subsitute Cao Yunding hit the side netting but China were unable to craft the breakthrough against 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who stay second from bottom on five points.
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