HONG KONG, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Japan's hopes of World Cup qualification suffered a major blow on Thursday as a 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia ramped up the pressure on coach Hajime Moriyasu while Australia set a new record with victory over Oman. Australia remained in pole position in Group B and were joined on nine points by Saudi Arabia after they piled further pressure on six-times World Cup qualifiers Japan. Only the top two teams in each of Asia's two qualifying groups are guaranteed to advance to the World Cup, with the third-placed finishers moving into a series of playoffs. Wu guided Wang Shenchao's cross home from close range deep into added time, however, to give Li Tie's team their first victory after losses to Australia and Japan. The Lebanese drew 0-0 with Iraq, who are in fifth, while the Syrians prop up the standings with a point.

Source: Egypt Today October 07, 2021 21:11 UTC