South Korea qualifies for World Cup in Qatar, Japan beats Saudi Arabia

Second-half goals from Kim Jin-su and Kwon Chang-hoon gave the Koreans a comfortable victory over the bottom team in Asia Group A qualifying.

South Korea moved 11 points clear of the third-placed United Arab Emirates, which has just three games remaining.

The top two teams from each of the two groups automatically qualify. The third-place teams advance to playoffs.

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Ten back-to-back #WorldCup tournaments! 🇰🇷💪 @theKFA | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/SPzIEzlvuP

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 1, 2022

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 host on course for a seventh successive World Cup appearance.

FT: 🇸🇾 Syria 0-2 Korea Republic 🇰🇷

Korea Republic are heading to the 2022 #WorldCup. The Taeguk Warriors confirm their spot in the @fifaworldcup after a comfortable win over Syria in Group A! #AsianQualifiers | #SYRvKOR pic.twitter.com/U6Gf8RBVzs

— #WAC2022 (@afcasiancup) February 1, 2022

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.

FT | 🇯🇵 Japan 2-0 Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

📈 A goal in each half sees the Samurai Blue climb within 1⃣ point of 🔝 spot in Group 🅱️❗️

— #WAC2022 (@afcasiancup) February 1, 2022

Saudi Arabia, which would have qualified for a sixth World Cup with a victory, still led the group with 19 points, one more than Japan. Australia would move on to 17 with a win over Oman later Tuesday.

Last-placed Vietnam, which had previously lost all of its 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.