Australia set record, Wu rescues China
DOHA: Australia continued their relentless march towards next year’s World Cup in Qatar after beating Oman 3-1, notching up a world record 11 consecutive wins in qualifying on Thursday.
Kenya-born Awer Mabil scored the opening goal in the ninth minute while Martin Boyle and Mitchel Duke added to the tally in the second half as the Socceroos took charge of Group B in the third and final round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.
Australia had coasted through the previous qualifying rounds with eight wins on the trot while Thursday’s success against Oman ensured they stayed perfect with three wins from as many matches in the last round. “For me, it’s already all about going to Japan and getting ready for Japan in Japan and making it 12 in a row,” Arnold said.
Australia are level on points with Saudi Arabia but keep their top spot on goal difference in a very competitive group that also has Japan battling for the two automatic spots.
Super-sub Firas al-Buraikan struck the only goal in the 71st minute as Saudi Arabia handed Japan a 1-0 defeat.
In Sharjah, Wu Lei struck twice, including an injury time winner, as China beat Vietnam 3-2 for their first win after two straight losses.
In Group A, Tottenham star Son Heung-Min scored an 89th-minute winner in Ansanto to give South Korea a nervy 2-1 home win over Syria.
Iran edged out the UAE 1-0 to remain perfect with three wins in as many matches. AFP
RESULTS
Group A: South Korea 2 (Hwang 48, Son 89) Syria 1 (Khribin 83); Iraq 0 Lebanon 0; UAE 0 Iran 1 (Mehdi 70) Group B: China 3 (Zhang 53, Wu 75, 90+5) Vietnam 2 (Ho 80, Nguyen 90+1); Saudi Arabia 1 (Al Buraikan 71) Japan 0l Australia 3 (Mabil 9, Boyle 49, Duke 89) Oman 1 (Al Mandhar 28)