HONG KONG: Japan are on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup after a 3-1 win at China on Tuesday, while Son Heung-min scored again as South Korea were held by Palestine.
Headers from Koki Ogawa and Ko Itakura put runaway group leaders Japan two goals up at half-time, before Lin Liangming pulled one back for China early in the second half.
Ogawa snuffed out China’s hopes of a comeback with his second to silence a crowd of 45,000 in Xiamen, where fans without tickets gathered outside the ground to watch the action on their phones.
Loud booing greeted the Japanese national anthem before kick-off and the game was briefly stopped in the first half when a fan invaded the pitch.
“All the players got us this win today,” said Japan coach Hajjime Moriyasu.
“The players on the pitch, the players on the bench and those that weren’t on the bench today — it was down to their energy that we won.”
Japan were playing their first senior international in China in nine years and there is a long history of rivalry between the two countries.
There was a heavy police presence outside the Xiamen Egret Stadium, where about 750 Japan fans were expected to be in attendance.
The convincing victory gave Japan five wins and a draw in Asian qualifying Group C and took them to within touching distance of a place at the World Cup.
However, the rest of the group is incredibly tightly packed, with one point separating Australia in second to China in sixth.
Australia secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Bahrain in Riffa, with the Socceroos scoring inside the first minute through Kusini Yengi only for substitute Mahdi Abduljabbar to score twice in three second-half minutes for the hosts.
However, Yengi equalized in the sixth minute of injury-time to grab what could prove a precious point for Tony Popovic’s team.
The draw means Australia have the edge in second on seven points, nine back from Japan but one ahead of Indonesia, Saudi, Bahrain and China.
The top two teams in each of the three groups will reach the showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while those who finish third and fourth go through to a further round of qualifying.
In Group B, Palestine — nominally hosts for a game taking place in Jordan — grabbed a surprise 12th-minute lead over South Korea thanks to Zaid Qunbar.
The advantage lasted just four minutes, talisman and skipper Son firing in from close range to bring the Koreans level with his 51st goal for his country. Son had a goal chalked off for offside late on.
Despite the 1-1 stalemate, the Koreans are firmly on course for the World Cup at the top of the group, holding a three-point lead with four games to go.
Iraq occupy second on 11 points following a 1-0 victory against Oman in Muscat, while Jordan’s 1-1 draw at Kuwait leaves them two points back, in third. Oman sit fourth, on six points, with Kuwait on four and Palestine on three.
In Group A, talented 21-year-old Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored the only goal to give Uzbekistan a 1-0 win over North Korea in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
It cemented the Uzbeks’ place in the top two in the group, along with table-toppers Iran, who were 3-2 winners at Kyrgyzstan.
Third-placed UAE kept on Uzbekistan’s coattails with a 5-0 victory against back-to-back Asian champions Qatar in Abu Dhabi, with Fabio De Lima netting four goals.
The win ensures Paulo Bento’s side remain three points from second, while Qatar stay fourth, six points off the automatic qualification spots.
North Korea are bottom and yet to win in six games in this phase of qualifying.
Japan on cusp of World Cup as Son scores in Palestine draw
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Japan on cusp of World Cup as Son scores in Palestine draw
- Australia secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Bahrain in Riffa
- In Group B, Palestine — nominally hosts for a game taking place in Jordan — grabbed a surprise 12th-minute lead over South Korea
Saudi Arabia squeeze past Japan in U17 Asian Cup quarter final
- After 90 minutes of football ended 2-2 in Taif, penalty shootout needed to separate two teams
TAIF: Saudi Arabia beat Japan in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday to move into the semi-final of the U-17 Asian Cup for the first time since 1992. After 90 minutes of football ended 2-2 in the city of Taif, the young Green Falcons triumphed from the spot.
The shootout ended 3-2 to leave the teenagers celebrating with their home fans and looking forward to Thursday’s last four clash with either South Korea or Tajikistan.
It was a busy start to the game. In just the third minute, Abdulrahman Sufyani had his close-range shot saved and then, from the rebound, curled an attempt that bounced off the crossbar.
Soon after, however, Abubaker Saeed handled in the area and, after a check from VAR, Taiga Seguchi scored from the spot in the ninth minute.
It was a short-lived lead. In the 15th minute, Abdulaziz Al-Fawaz was bundled over in the area and Saeed stepped up to convert the penalty and send the goalkeeper the wrong way.
For Saudi Arabia it got even better eight minutes before the break. The lively Sufyani ran free down the right, cut inside the area and pulled the ball across goal for Sabri Dahal to fire home from close range.
It was all looking good for the West Asian team until Japan equalised with 18 minutes remaining. Daichi Tani’s through ball from the middle dissected the Saudi defence for Hiroto Asada to sprint through and roll the ball past Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi.
Then it all came down to a penalty shootout. Otaibi almost kept out Asada and then Nasser Al-Fihani made it 1-1. Yazeed Al-Dosari did the same with his kick and it was 2-2. Then Otaibi got down quickly to save a low strike from Yuito Kamo but then Thari Saeed saw his attempt kept out.
It was still two each but Shota Fujii hit the bar, giving Saudi Arabia another chance and this time it was taken, oh so coolly, by Maher Tawashi. It meant that Japan had to score their last kick but once again, they hit the woodwork to keep the hosts on course for a first continental title since 1988.
Harvey Barnes brace routs Manchester United as Newcastle rise to fourth place
- Sandro Tonali put Newcastle ahead before Alejandro Garnacho equalized late in the first half
- Barnes provided a welcome tonic for Howe as his second-half brace at St. James’ Park
NEWCASTLE: Harvey Barnes struck twice as Newcastle thrashed troubled Manchester United 4-1 to climb into fourth place in the Premier League on Sunday.
Newcastle were without manager Eddie Howe, who was admitted to hospital on Friday after feeling unwell for several days.
But Barnes provided a welcome tonic for Howe as his second-half brace at St. James’ Park boosted Newcastle’s bid to qualify for the Champions League.
With Howe’s assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones in charge of the League Cup winners, Sandro Tonali put Newcastle ahead before Alejandro Garnacho equalized late in the first half.
Barnes stole the spotlight after the interval, becoming the first Newcastle player to score twice in one league game against United since Alan Shearer in 2000.
Bruno Guimaraes punished a blunder from United keeper Altay Bayindir, who started in place of the dropped Andre Onana, to seal Newcastle’s first four-goal haul against United since 2001.
In the race to reach the Champions League via a top five finish, Newcastle are just one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest.
They have a game in hand on Forest, as well as fifth-placed Manchester City and sixth-placed Chelsea, who are two points adrift of the Magpies.
United have now gone four games without a win in all competitions, leaving them languishing in 14th place with just six games left to avoid their lowest finish since 1973-74, when they came 21st and were relegated.
They are already certain to suffer their worst points total in the Premier League era, with the previous low 58 in 2021-22.
Ruben Amorim made five changes with an eye on Lyon’s visit to Old Trafford for the Europa League quarter-final, second leg next Thursday, but United were blown away with embarrassing ease.
Bayindir had replaced Onana after the Cameroon keeper’s latest error-strewn display in United’s 2-2 draw at Lyon last Thursday.
But the 26-year-old, signed from Fenerbahce in 2023, endured a woeful first Premier League start.
Newcastle’s opening goal arrived at the climax of a flowing move after United midfielder Manuel Ugarte gave the ball way in the 24th minute.
Kieran Trippier surged forward and found Alexander Isak, who astutely lifted his pass over the defense for Tonali to drive a clinical finish into the far corner from an acute angle 10 yards out.
It was the 19th time United had conceded the opening goal in a league game this season — their joint-most in a single campaign in the competition.
With United out of sync once again, Tonali almost doubled the lead as the Italy midfielder curled just wide from distance.
Bayindir looked nervous when he punched Tino Livramento’s cross straight to Isak, but he redeemed himself with a good save from the Swede’s volley.
United equalized completely against the run of play in the 37th minute.
Diogo Dalot was the catalyst with a buccaneering burst that carried him to the edge of the Newcastle area, where he slipped a precise pass to Garnacho and the Argentine winger fired past Nick Pope.
Having scored for just the second time in 2025, Garnacho went close to another when Pope palmed away his blast on the stroke of half-time.
But Newcastle regained the lead four minutes after half-time as United’s leaky defense was breached again.
Livramento’s low cross was alertly kept in by Murphy beyond the far post and his pass into the six-yard box found Barnes unmarked for a clinical finish.
Zirkzee limped off to add to United’s woes after crumpling to the turf with an apparent hamstring injury.
United were in disarray and Barnes delivered the knockout blow in the 64th minute, dispossessing Noussair Mazraoui and racing clear to drill a fierce strike past Bayindir.
In the 77th minute, Bayindir’s wayward pass went straight to Joelinton, who nodded the ball onto Guimaraes for a composed finish that rubbed salt into United’s gaping wounds.
Oscar Piastri celebrates 50th race with win from pole in Bahrain
- Piastri wins for McLaren with Norris third
- Australian now second overall and three points off lead
- Russell second for Mercedes
SAKHIR: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri celebrated his 50th Formula One race with a pole-to-flag win in Bahrain on Sunday that sent him second overall and three points behind championship leading teammate Lando Norris.
The Australian also became the season’s first repeat winner in four races and ended reigning champions McLaren’s long wait for victory at their Bahraini owners’ home Sakhir circuit.
Norris finished third, after lining up sixth on the grid and then having to fight back from a five-second penalty for a jumped start under the floodlights.
Mercedes’ George Russell held off his fellow Briton for second in a tense battle over the closing laps but faced a stewards’ enquiry for allegedly using the drag reduction system outside the defined zone.
“It’s been an incredible weekend starting with qualifying yesterday and finishing the job today in style is nice,” said Piastri, who won by 15.499 seconds despite a safety car period wiping out his initial lead.
“It’s very important given our owners. It’s never been a track that’s been kind to us, so it’s nice to have our first win here.”
Norris now has 77 points to Piastri’s 74, with McLaren on 151 in the constructors’ standings and Mercedes second on 93.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth, with the Italian team’s former boss Luca di Montezemolo the guest of honor waving the chequered flag.
Red Bull’s four-times world champion Max Verstappen, who had been only a point behind Norris after winning in Japan last weekend, finished sixth with Pierre Gasly scoring Alpine’s first points of the campaign in seventh.
Esteban Ocon, who crashed heavily in qualifying, redeemed himself with eighth for Haas and Yuki Tsunoda delivered Red Bull’s first double points finish of the year in ninth.
The final point was secured for Haas by British rookie Oliver Bearman, who started last.
UAE’s National MMA Championship 3 underway in Dubai
- Tournament for country’s rising talents taking place at Shabab Al-Ahli Club over 2 days
DUBAI: The UAE’s National MMA Championship 3, organized by the UAE’s Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, began on Saturday at Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai in front of a large crowd, and featured young talent representing clubs and academies nationwide.
The opening day included bouts in the Youth D (10-11 years), Youth C (12-13) and Youth B (14-15) categories, while Sunday sees the tournament’s conclusion with competitions in Youth A (16-17) and Adult (18+) categories.
Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE’s Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: “We are proud of the strong performances we saw today and the impressive participation of our sons and daughters, especially those who are just starting their journey.
“These categories are the foundation for the future of the sport and show that the federation’s efforts to develop talent are paying off.”
Al-Dhaheri added that the high level of public engagement, organization, and quality of the fights reflected the growing importance of the championship locally, and continued efforts to provide the ideal environment for developing a generation of athletes capable of succeeding.
Zakaria Bichi, coach of Primal Gym Abu Dhabi, said: “We’re taking part in this edition with seven athletes, and several of them have won gold medals thanks to strong preparation and serious commitment during training.
“This championship is a key milestone in their careers, especially when it comes to building confidence and gaining experience. We’ve seen how mixed martial arts in the country continues to grow every year. This is a result of the federation’s ongoing commitment to organising high-level events that help shape a new generation of champions.”
Suhair Almarzooqi, the mother of 14-year-old Hamad Alsaboori from ADMA Academy, said: “We’re proud to see our children take part in a tournament at this level as it helps them improve their athletic skills, build character, and boosts their confidence.
“Sports today are more than just physical activity: They are a powerful way to teach discipline, responsibility, and the importance of working towards goals.
“We’re grateful to the federation for organizing this championship, which gives our children the right environment to explore their potential and make the most of their free time in a way that benefits them and supports their future.”
Emirati Hamda Ali Khalfan Almutwa, of Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, who won gold in her division at the event, said: “Since I began my career in martial arts I have dreamed of this moment. Winning the gold medal today makes me feel proud and gives me even more motivation to train and improve. Thank you to everyone who supported me. I hope to be a role model for all girls who dream of reaching the podium.”
Accident puts Saudi rally driver Yazeed Al Rajhi out of contention in Baja Jordan 2025
- Al Rajhi and co-driver Timo Gottschalk injured when their car hit an obstacle at speed
JEDDAH: Saudi rally driver Yazeed Al Rajhi and his co-driver Timo Gottschalk’s participation in this week’s Baja Jordan 2025 ended after an accident during the second and final stage on Saturday.
Al-Rajhi had been in full control of the event for two days and was coasting to the finish to pick up his first win in Jordan when his Toyota hit an obstacle at speed.
The two drivers were flown from the crash site and taken for a medical examination — both were fully conscious and in stable condition.
Speaking from the hospital, Al-Rajhi shared details of the rescue after the accident, which forced him out of the race.
In a video, Al-Rajhi revealed that medical tests at a hospital in Jordan revealed that he fractured two vertebrae in his spine, while his co-driver fractured four vertebrae.
Al-Rajhi said that his private plane is waiting at Aqaba airport and will take him to Riyadh soon.
