AFC World Cup Qualifying: Japan, South Korea gear up for tough away challenges under mounting pressure
Japan has the opportunity to make significant progress towards the 2026 World Cup in the coming week, provided they can successfully navigate away matches against Indonesia and China within a five-day period.
South Korea, led by Son Heung-min, is also aiming to secure a place in the prestigious tournament in North America, as they prepare to face Kuwait on Thursday, followed by a match against Palestine in Jordan next week.
In another development, Herve Renard, who orchestrated a remarkable victory over the eventual champions Argentina during the Qatar World Cup, will assume his role as head coach of Saudi Arabia for the first time since his return.
An anticipated crowd of approximately 78,000 is expected to fill the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, with hopes of witnessing an upset on Friday.
Following this, Hajime Moriyasu's Japan will confront another challenging environment when they travel to Xiamen on Tuesday to compete against China.
"Considering the FIFA rankings and the results in the World Cup qualifiers thus far, one might assume that Japan holds the advantage," stated coach Moriyasu. "However, both matches are away, and I anticipate they will be difficult."
As the third round of Asian qualifying approaches its midpoint, Japan currently leads Group C with a five-point advantage over Australia and Saudi Arabia, who are set to face each other on Thursday.
The top two teams from each of the three groups will qualify directly for the World Cup.
Although China and Indonesia occupy the last two positions in Group C, they remain in contention, as teams finishing third and fourth will progress to an additional qualifying stage.
Moriyasu has included Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi in the squad for the first time in a year, following the injury of first-choice striker Ayase Ueda.
Australia will host Saudi Arabia in Melbourne, with both teams having accumulated five points after four matches.
The Socceroos will then travel to Bahrain the following Tuesday, while the Saudis will compete in Indonesia.
Renard, 56, returns for a second tenure with Saudi Arabia after the dismissal of Roberto Mancini last month.
Like Japan, South Korea is on track for the 2026 World Cup, holding a three-point lead at the top of Group B.
The team is pleased to welcome back their captain and key player, Son, who was absent during the victories against Iraq and the Asian Cup runners-up, Jordan, last month due to a hamstring injury.
Coach Hong Myung-bo has suggested that he might manage the 32-year-old forward's playing time by limiting his minutes in the upcoming matches against the group’s bottom two teams, Kuwait and Palestine.
"While some may consider our next two opponents as underdogs, I believe these will be very challenging encounters," Hong stated.
"I can confidently assert that these matches will hold greater significance than those we played in October," he further remarked.
Iran currently leads Uzbekistan on goal difference at the top of Group A, holding a six-point advantage over the United Arab Emirates in third place.
On Thursday, Iran will face North Korea in the Laotian capital, Vientiane, in a match that pits the group leader against the last-placed team.
Uzbekistan will travel to face Asian champions Qatar, who are currently in fourth place after a sluggish start to the third qualifying stage, while the UAE will host fifth-placed Kyrgyzstan.
SportsLigue