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Japan ............... 1

N. Korea ......... 0

TOKYO – Japan and Australia took big strides towards the next stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup but South Korea dropped two points despite leading through Son Heung-min.

Germany-based midfielder Ao Tanaka scored the only goal after two minutes in Tokyo to give Japan a nervy 1-0 win over North Korea. Japan have three wins from three and are firmly on course to reach the third stage of qualifying for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. North Korea, who are still in the hunt despite the defeat, were cheered on by a vocal contingent of supporters from Japan’s 300 000-strong ethnic Korean community. Japan and North Korea are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday in a game that was supposed to take place in the North Korean capital Pyongyang. It looks set to be moved, however, after the North Koreans told their Japanese counterparts at halftime in Tokyo that they cannot host it after all, according to Japan’s football chief.

Another team trying to move on from the Asian Cup was South Korea as they hosted Thailand in Seoul. Skipper and Spurs ace Son scored in the first half but the Koreans were pegged back in a 1-1 draw in their first match since the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann. The two sides meet again on Tuesday in Bangkok. South Korea are still on course to reach the next stage of qualifying and sit top of their group with seven points from three matches.

Thailand are second on goal difference from China, who squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Singapore in Branko Ivankovic’s first match as China coach. In Sydney, Australia’s Scottish connection helped them to a 2-0 victory over a determined Lebanon to move onto a perfect nine points. St Mirren midfielder Keanu Baccus struck early in the first half before Hearts defender Kye Rowles added a second on 54 minutes.