Date: November 14, 2024 | Location: Hong Kong
Summary: In a crucial round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers for the Asian teams, South Korea extended their lead in Group B with a convincing 3-1 victory over Kuwait. The win was highlighted by Son Heung-min’s return from injury, as he marked his 130th appearance for his country with a penalty and a crucial contribution. Meanwhile, in Group A, Iran battled through adversity to secure a narrow 3-2 win against North Korea, despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half.
South Korea Shine as Son Heung-min Reaches Milestone
South Korea’s campaign for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America received a boost as they comfortably defeated Kuwait 3-1 in Kuwait City on Thursday. The victory placed South Korea firmly at the top of Group B with four wins and a draw from five matches. The top two teams from each group will secure direct qualification for the prestigious tournament in USA, Canada, and Mexico.
It was a significant night for Son Heung-min, the South Korean captain and Tottenham Hotspur forward. Son, who missed last month’s qualifiers due to injury, made a triumphant return to the national team with a first-half penalty. This goal also marked his 50th international goal, a milestone in his already impressive career.
The match began with an early strike in the 10th minute when Oh Se-hun, the South Korean striker, opened the scoring with a powerful header off a cross. Just nine minutes later, Son added a second after he was brought down in the box, resulting in a penalty that he calmly converted to give South Korea a commanding 2-0 lead.
Despite the dominant performance, Kuwait responded in the second half. In the 60th minute, Mohammad Daham halved the deficit with a stunning half-volley that beat South Korea’s goalkeeper. However, Bae Jun-ho, who came on as a substitute for Son, ensured South Korea’s victory when he scored in the 74th minute, putting the match beyond Kuwait’s reach.
With the win, South Korea maintained their position at the top of Group B, with 13 points from five games. Their qualification for the 2026 World Cup looks promising as they continue their campaign with momentum.
Iran’s Narrow Win Over North Korea Despite Red Card
In another gripping qualifier, Iran fought hard to secure a 3-2 win over North Korea in Vientiane, Laos, cementing their place at the top of Group A with a perfect record of 13 points from 15. Iran was dominant in the first half, taking a 3-0 lead into the break.
The match was highlighted by a stellar performance from Mohammad Mohebi, who scored twice, and Mehdi Ghayedi, who added a third for Iran. North Korea struggled to cope with Iran’s attacking play, and the game seemed well in hand by halftime. However, the second half took a dramatic turn when Shojae Khalilzadeh was sent off in the 52nd minute for a foul on Ri Jo Guk as he was through on goal. The red card reduced Iran to 10 men and gave North Korea a significant advantage.
Capitalizing on the extra man, North Korea mounted a comeback. In the 55th minute, Mehdi Taremi of Inter Milan scored an own goal, giving North Korea a glimmer of hope. North Korea continued to press and pulled another goal back through Pak Kwang-ryong, but despite their efforts, Iran managed to hold on for the crucial three points.
North Korea, still winless in the third stage of qualification, remains rooted at the bottom of the group, while Iran continues to top the standings. The victory keeps Iran’s World Cup hopes alive as they head into the second half of the qualifying campaign.
Australia and Saudi Arabia Share Spoils in Melbourne
In Group C, both Australia and Saudi Arabia faced off in an intense encounter that ended in a goalless draw, with both teams failing to make headway in their bid to qualify. The match had its moments, with Saudi Arabia having a goal disallowed in added time for offside, leaving the result a frustrating one for both teams.
This draw leaves Australia and Saudi Arabia level on six points, as both teams continue their struggle for second place in the group. China, with six points as well, added to the pressure on the two teams by securing a dramatic 1-0 win over Bahrain. Zhang Yuning scored the late winner for China in the 91st minute, just after Bahrain had thought they had secured the three points, only to have their goal ruled offside by VAR.
The result in Melbourne provided no real breakthrough for either side, with both teams continuing to fight for a place in the 2026 World Cup.
Upcoming Matches: Key Qualifiers on the Horizon
With the first half of the qualifying rounds nearing completion, the upcoming matches in the Asian qualifiers will be crucial for teams looking to secure their spot in the World Cup. In Group C, Japan, currently leading the standings, will face Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday, aiming to extend their advantage.
As the competition intensifies, teams like Australia, Saudi Arabia, and China will need to improve their form in the second half of the qualification process. Meanwhile, South Korea and Iran will look to maintain their momentum as the race for World Cup spots continues.
Group Standings Overview
Group A Standings:
| Position | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 13 |
| 2 | Iraq | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 10 |
| 3 | Bahrain | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 7 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 4 |
| 5 | North Korea | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 2 |
| 6 | Laos | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 1 |
Group B Standings:
| Position | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | +11 | 13 |
| 2 | Lebanon | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 11 |
| 3 | Kuwait | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 5 |
| 4 | Jordan | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 4 |
| 5 | Syria | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 3 |
Conclusion
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers progress, the competition in the Asian regions continues to heat up. South Korea and Iran remain in control of their respective groups, but the upcoming fixtures will be crucial for teams like Australia, Saudi Arabia, and China, all of whom are locked in a battle for qualification spots. With teams jostling for position and the halfway point looming, the road to the World Cup is far from decided.
