• Iran and Korea Republic cemented top-two places with back-to-back victories in Group A

  • Saudi Arabia moved four points clear at the summit of Group B

  • Japan leapfrogged Australia to second place

There were assorted results for Asia ‘s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ representatives on matchdays 5 and 6 in the continent ‘s third base cycle of qualifying for Qatar 2022. In Group A, IR Iran and Korea Republic consolidated their places among the top two with back-to-back victories, furthering distancing themselves from the chasing clique with four games left. In Group B, interim, Saudi Arabia moved four points clear at the top follow picking up four away points while Australia floundered making do with a match of draw. Japan, for their separate, registered a pair of solitary-goal wins to leapfrog the Socceroos into second put. elsewhere, United Arab Emirates earned their first base win in Lebanon and China PR came up with two draws to salvage a gleam of hope. Iraq and Syria picked up a charge each and debutants Vietnam remain rooted at the bed without a point .

Results of matchday 5 & 6

Group A
 11 November: Korea Republic 1-0 United Arab Emirates ; Lebanon 1-2 Iran ; Iraq 1-1 Syria 16 November: Syria 0-3 Iran ; Lebanon 0-1 United Arab Emirates ; Iraq 0-3 Korea Republic Group B 11 November: Australia 0-0 Saudi Arabia ; Vietnam 0-1 Japan ; China PR 1-1 Oman 16 November: China PR 1-1 Australia ; Vietnam 0-1 Saudi Arabia ; Oman 0-1 Japan

The match

Oman 0-1 Japan (Junya Ito 81) Japan arrived in Muscat with retaliation on their mind having suffered a arresting 1-0 frustration at home in the undoer. Hajime Moriyasu ‘s visitors pushed fore from the beginning with both Yuya Osako and Junya Ito looking dangerous upfront, but Branko Ivankovic ‘s english defended gallantly with disciplined play and looked threatening on the break. Japan heaped on the pressure after the restart as they pushed for the opener but Oman proved they bore a threat when Arshad Al Alawi flashed a drive just wide of the post. As the clock clicked to the conclusion, second-half substitute Kaoru Mitoma cut into the area to send a cross across the goalmouth for an unmarked Ito, who tapped in to seal three precious points.

Memorable moments

Mabkhout the hero United Arab Emirates finally registered their first gain in the third cycle, winning 1-0 away in Lebanon in a catch that the hosts largely dominated. once again, Ali Mabkhout emerged the visitors ‘ hero, scoring the entirely finish from the smudge five minutes from time as his side won against the run of bet. The come to cemented his position as the ball-shaped top-scorer in qualifying with 14 goals, two goals clearly of Wu Lei. Saudi invincibility The only undefeated team of Group B, Saudi Arabia continued their good run in this campaign picking up four points from two away fixtures. They inaugural held hosts Australia to a scoreless draw before prevailing 1-0 in Vietnam with Saleh Al-Shehri heading home the match-winner. Herve Renard ‘s park Falcons underlined their resolve with the away results and are edging closer to early progress from their group. Home away from home Despite playing the two home games in United Arab Emirates, China made the Sharjah Stadium something of a home fortress picking up two draws on the trot. Cheered on by a little group of supporters, Li Tie ‘s Team Dragon played out a 1-1 affiliation against Oman before coming from behind to draw against Australia thanks to Wu Lei ’ s spot-kick. Azmoun’s heroics Sardar Azmoun came to the rescue as Iran collected a dramatic 2-1 comeback win in Lebanon. Ivan Hasek ‘s hosts were leading 1-0 after 90 minutes but Azmoun prodded home with a stoppage-time strike to draw level. shortly afterwards, the Russian-based forward saw another attempt blocked by a defender but the headroom fell into the path of Ahmad Nourollahi who completed a noteworthy victory. Azmoun went on to break the deadlock against Syria to set his side on the way to a 3-0 gloat. On-song Son Korea Republic Son Heungmin continued his unstoppable shape, scoring one and having a hired hand in another as his side won 3-0 against Iraq in neutral Doha. Despite twice being denied by the military post in the former 1-0 victory against United Arab Emirates, the Tottenham Hotspur doubled their leave against the Iraqis through a spot-kick before providing the base on balls which led to Jeong Wooyoung ’ s match-sealing third base.

The player

Junya Ito ‘s goalscoring form proved the key as Japan registered crucial back-to-back wins. Despite missing final calendar month ’ second 1-0 loss in Saudi Arabia through abeyance, the Belgium-based attacker then played a full moon match against Australia. He then impressed against Vietnam scoring the only goal off Takumi Minamino ‘s crack before easing his side ‘s worries by helping seal retaliation against Oman .

Did you know?

Leading third-placed United Arab Emirates by ten-spot points, Iran can seal early qualification with three games to spare if they defeat Iraq in the future field day in January and the other results besides go their room .