The UAE national team lost 0-1 at home to Iran to remain without victories in the first group, while its Saudi counterpart defeated Japan 1-0 in the second group of Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Thursday.
Mehdi Taremi scored Iran's only goal in the 71st minute when he put the ball into the goal the moment goalkeeper Ali Khaseef exited his line with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Sardar Azmoun missed the opportunity to double the score for the visitors two minutes before the end when he missed a penalty kick, which Khaseef saved successfully.
FT: 🇦🇪 @UAEFNT 0-1 IR Iran 🇮🇷
Mehdi Taremi's strike keeps IR Iran top of Group A!
💫#AsianQualifiers |
#UAEvIRN pic.twitter.com/ZrrsPdVPpn
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) October 7, 2021
Iran topped the group with nine points from three victories, two points ahead of South Korea, which won 2-1 at its guest, Syria, at the bottom of the standings by one point.
The UAE comes in third place with two points from three matches, outperforming Lebanon and Iraq, who are fourth and fifth in goal difference, after a negative draw today as well.
The fourth round of qualifiers will be held next Tuesday, where Syria meets Lebanon in Oman, the UAE meets Iraq in Dubai, and Iran meets South Korea in Tehran.
🚨 FT: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 1 ️⃣-0 ️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵 🚨
The Green Falcons take the “W” against the Blue Samurais, courtesy super-sub Feras Al-Brikan's fantastic goal ⚽️🤍#KSAvJPN #AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/fPgJG1UuL6
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) October 7, 2021
Saudi Arabia leads at the expense of Japan
In another match, substitute Firas Al-Braikan scored a 1-0 victory for Saudi Arabia against its guest Japan, to top the second group of the World Cup qualifiers.
Saudi Arabia raised its score to nine points from three victories in the lead, while Japan's tally of three points from three matches remained in fourth place.
China beat Vietnam 3-2 at Sharjah Stadium in the UAE to achieve its first victory in the last round and raise its score to three points in fifth place, while Vietnam is bottom of the group without points.
Al-Braikan scored the winning goal for the hosts when he took advantage of a mistake from the Japanese defense to be alone with the goalkeeper and hit the ball between his legs from close range in the 71st minute.
The first two teams from each group qualify directly for the Qatar 2022 finals, while the two third-placed teams meet in an Asian playoff to determine the team that will compete in the international playoffs.