Unexpected events continued. While Korea had a "sweat draw" with Palestine, the lowest ranking team in the group, Indonesia led by coach Shin Tae-yong secured its first historical win against Saudi Arabia, reviving the hope of advancing to the fourth round of qualifying. The United Arab Emirates led by Paulo Bento defeated Qatar, the Asian Cup champion, 5-0, by banking on Fabio Lima's "over hat trick (four goals)." Japan delivered a 3-1 victory over China, which had been gaining momentum with two consecutive wins after three consecutive losses.안전놀이터
The sixth round of Group A, B and C of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup, which took place across Asia on the 19th and 20th, excited fans with a tremendous upset and thrilling victory. As soon as we entered the second half of the third qualifying round in the survival race of 10 games per team, the competition for ranking was fierce to advance to the fourth qualifying round, which will lead to the playoff stage, as well as the direct ticket to the finals, which will be given to the first and second place in the group.
South Korea played a "return match" in Amman, Jordan, against the Palestinians, who drew 0-0 in the first round of their home game in Seoul in September, but only drew 1-1 again. It was expected that the eventful last A-match of 2024 would be the "Five-match winning streak finale," but it ended up regretfully failing to subdue the Palestinian fighting spirit. "Captain" Son Heung-min played full-time and scored his 51st A-match goal in two consecutive games, rising to second place alone in South Korea's personal most goals scored.
The United Arab Emirates, which had a 5-0 victory over Qatar, moved up to third place in Group A, chasing second-place Uzbekistan by three points. Iran came from behind to win 3-2 over Kyrgyzstan and maintained its top position in Group A with 16 points. Japan, led by Moriyasu Hajime, maintained a solid advantage in Group C, overpowered China 3-1 and also gained 16 points. In the third qualifying round, six teams from the first and second places in the group will win direct tickets to the finals, and six teams from the third and fourth places in the group will advance to the playoffs, where two tickets are on the line.
Amman, Jordan, was in poor grass condition. Due to Palestinian reasons at war, South Korea, which had Game 6 in the neutral zone of Amman, Jordan, struggled just like its first home game, failing to achieve the "five-game winning streak" that it had hoped for. Hong Myung-bo, who had been on a four-game winning streak, showed his will to win by banking on his starting 11th win against Kuwait, which had a 3-1 victory, but the situation did not turn out as expected. The team ended up with a two-game draw with the Palestinian team, which is its weakest team.
The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, tied 1-1 with Son Heung-min four minutes after he gave up the first goal in the 12th minute of the first half in the 6th away match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Palestine at Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan, at 11 p.m. on the 19th (Korea time). South Korea had a 0-0 draw with Palestine in the first round in September, and failed to decide the match 1-1 in the "Return Match."
Son Heung-min, who led Korea's attack, saved Hong Myung-bo from a humiliating loss to Palestine, ranked 100th in the FIFA rankings, and rose to the second place alone with his 51st career A-match goal. Son broke through the left space with a triangular pass with Lee Myung-jae and Lee Jae-sung in the 16th minute of the first half, before scoring an equalizer with a 1-1 shot with his right foot.
Despite the advantage of 74 percent-26 percent in ball possession, 16-6 shooting numbers, and 6-2 shooting on target, Korea failed to take advantage of the critical goal opportunity. The neutral zone in Amman, Jordan, was not in good condition compared to the time when Korea played an away match against Jordan last month. In the first home match against the Palestinians, Korea ended up with a scoreless draw due to messy grass conditions at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Japanese referee Yusuke Araki's generous management of the match also adversely affected Korea's bid to win the "Return Match."
After ending the eventful A-match in 2024, Korea failed to achieve the "five-game winning streak finale," but maintained its lead with four wins and two draws (14 points) in six Group B matches in the third qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup between North Korea and the U.S. The Korean team will hold matches with Oman and Jordan in March next year, aiming to secure early confirmation of its advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time. Palestine, the lowest ranking team in the group, accumulated two points in two matches with Korea, recording three draws and three losses.
Iraq won 1-0 away to Oman, widening the gap with Jordan, which is competing for second place, by two points. Jordan finished third with a 1-1 draw with "weakness" Kuwait. Kuwait and Palestine had a good match against the strong teams, but still have not enjoyed the victory until the sixth round.
Indonesia's national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, beat "Middle East powerhouse" Saudi Arabia 2-0 to win its first victory in six games and rise to third place.
Indonesia has secured its first historical win over Saudi Arabia thanks to the multi-goal performance of Marcellino Ferdinand of the England Championship (minor league) who plays for Oxford United at the sixth home game of Group C held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday. It is the first time that Indonesia, which is ranked 130th in FIFA rankings, has secured a win over Saudi Arabia, which is ranked 59th.