'Shin Tae-yong Magic' Leapeless in front of Japan, Indonesia 0-4 complete defeat → There is hope for Korea, Japan countdown to the World Cup early
Nov 16, 2024
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Indonesia, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, was completely defeated by Japan, turning on a yellow light to advance to the fourth qualifying round. Indonesia lost 0-4 to Japan in the fifth Group C match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on the 15th.
Japan, which recorded four wins and one draw, further solidified its position as the sole leader (13 points). The difference in points from the second place is a whopping seven points. Australia, Saudi Arabia and China have six points side by side. Indonesia, which had not won a single game, remained at the bottom (three points) with three draws and two losses. Bahrain is in fifth place with five points.
In the third qualifying round, 18 teams will be divided into three groups of six teams and play a full league home and away. The first, second, and six teams in each group will win a ticket to the World Cup finals.
The six teams ranked third and fourth will be divided into two groups of three countries and play the fourth qualifying round in the nature of a consolation match. The 5th and 6th places will be eliminated. In the fourth qualifying round, two first-place teams in each group will advance to the finals, and the winners of the second-place teams will go through the intercontinental playoffs. Indonesia's realistic goal is to advance to the fourth qualifying round.
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Japan stabilized after the middle of the first half, and took the lead in the 35th minute with an own goal by Indonesian defender Justin Herbner. Daichi Kamada's ground ball cross from the left side of the net hit Herbner's foot and was sucked into the net.
Indonesia lost steam, and Japan scored an additional goal five minutes later to win the game. Takumi Minamino scored with his left foot on Kaoru Mitoma's cutback. Japan finished the first half with a 2-0 lead. There was no turnaround for Indonesia in the second half.
Japan scored its third goal in the fourth minute of the second half. Taking advantage of Indonesian goalkeeper Marten Paes' kick mistake, Hidemasa Morita shook the net. It was practically the end. In the 24th minute of the second half, Japan finished with Yukinari Sugawara scoring a net goal.
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In Group A, Uzbekistan remained in second place with 10 points after Iran. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, led by head coach Paulo Bento, won the fifth game side by side and scored seven points. UAE, ahead of goal difference, was placed in third place. North Korea, which failed to hunt for its first win by losing 2-3 to Iran, was at the bottom with two draws and three losses (two points). If it's like this, you're out.
Group B is the world of Hong Myung-bo. The gap with the second place has widened. In Game 5, Iraq and Jordan, which are competing for second place, tied without a goal in a head-to-head clash. Jordan and Iraq scored eight points side by side.
Jordan was ahead of Iraq on goal difference. In another Group B match, Oman defeated Palestine 1-0 to solidify its fourth place (six points). Kuwait (3 points) and Palestine (2 points) are ranked fifth and sixth.
Asia'Big Three'South Korea, Japan, and Iran's early advance to the World Cup finals has entered the countdown.
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