On Thursday, Asia’s second phase of preliminaries for the 2026 World Cup commenced with a strong showing from the dominant nations in the region. Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Iran all secured comfortable victories, showcasing their prowess on the field. In a largely second-string side, Japan’s Ayase Ueda stole the spotlight with a remarkable hat-trick, leading his team to a resounding 5-0 win over Myanmar. Despite leaving many of their key players on the bench, Japan demonstrated their depth and talent, setting the stage for an exciting clash with Syria in Group B.
Ueda wasted no time in making his mark, scoring in the 11th minute with a precise header from Takumi Minamino’s lofted pass. Daichi Kamada extended Japan’s lead 17 minutes later with a powerful strike from distance. Ritsu Doan, the creative force behind Ueda’s second goal, showed his brilliance in setting up the forward right before half-time. Ueda completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute, thanks to Minamino’s assist once again. Doan then added a goal of his own four minutes from time, ensuring a comprehensive victory for Japan.
Australia continued the trend of dominant displays as they demolished Bangladesh 7-0 in Group I. Jamie Maclaren stole the show in the second half, scoring a hat-trick after coming off the bench. The Australians wasted no time asserting their dominance, with goals from Harry Souttar and Brandon Borrello giving them a comfortable two-goal lead within the first 20 minutes. Mitchell Duke then netted a brace late in the first half, further solidifying Australia’s superiority over their opponents.
Maclaren wasted no time making an impact after the restart, scoring shortly after a cross from Jordan Bos. In the 70th minute, he added to his tally when a shot from Massimo Luongo deflected off the goalkeeper. Lewis Miller provided the final assist, setting up Maclaren for his hat-trick in the 84th minute, showcasing Australia’s depth in attacking options. The resounding win propelled them to the top of the standings, leaving Lebanon and Palestine to settle for a goalless draw in their match.
South Korea showed their resilience and determination in Group C with a spectacular 5-0 victory over Singapore. The first half remained closely contested, but Cho Gue-sung broke the deadlock for Juergen Klinsmann’s team just before half-time. The second half witnessed an explosive surge from South Korea, with Hwang Hee-chan scoring early on to double their lead. Superstar Son Heung-Min added the third goal in the 63rd minute, showcasing his individual brilliance.
Hwang Ui-jo’s penalty and Lee Kang-in’s late effort secured the comprehensive victory for South Korea, cementing their place at the top of the group. China also made an impactful start, defeating Thailand 2-1 with Wang Shangyuan scoring the winning goal in the 74th minute. Both South Korea and China demonstrated their intentions to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
In Group E, Iran asserted their dominance with a convincing 4-0 win over Hong Kong. Sardar Azmoun took center stage, scoring a brace early in the match and setting the foundation for Iran’s triumph. Their commanding victory placed them at the top of the group, joined by Uzbekistan, who secured a 3-1 victory over Turkmenistan. Iran showcased their strength and ability, leaving their opponents with little chance to challenge their dominance.
As Asia’s 2026 World Cup preliminaries kicked off, the dominant nations in the region left no room for surprises. Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Iran all delivered impressive performances, showcasing their talent and depth. These early victories displayed their intentions to secure their places in the highly anticipated tournament. With a flurry of goals and a clinical display of skills, these nations have set the stage for an exciting journey towards the 2026 World Cup.