World preliminaries: 4 seats in the top 18 of Asia were finalized, Hong Kong, China was out of the tournament in advance, and Saudi Arabia missed the opportunity to advance
The 2024 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the fourth round of the second stage, will compete in the early morning of March 23. Hong Kong, China lost 0-3 away to Uzbekistan and went out of the group two rounds ahead of schedule.
In addition, Iran defeated Turkmenistan away to advance with Uzbekistan, while Saudi Arabia were drawn by Tajikistan and failed to qualify for the round of 18 early. So far, the top 18 in the Asian region of this World Preliminary Championship have been finalized 4 seats, and Australia and Iraq have advanced in advance.
Group E standings
Turkmenistan 0-1 Iran
Turkmenistan had a poor record in the first three rounds, with only one point from one draw and two losses, and will face an early exit if they lose in this round. The Iranian team performed well in the first 3 rounds, with 2 wins and 1 draw and 7 points, and they advanced early with a win in this game. In the last round of direct dialogue between the two sides, the Iranian team swept the opponent 5-0 at home, and then played Turkmenistan away in this round.
Venue: Ashgabat Stadium
Referee: Sivakorn Buudun [Thailand]
In the first half, the Iranian team had a clear advantage, and the successive attacks in the early stages were fruitless, until the deadlock was finally broken in injury time. In the 45+5th minute, Gaedi scored with a volley to give Iran the lead away. After neither side scored in the second half, Iran beat Turkmenistan 1-0 thanks to Gaedi's goal.
Iran won away from home, increasing their total points to 10 points, nine points ahead of the third place in the group, and significantly advanced to the round of 18 two rounds ahead of schedule. Turkmenistan still has 1 point, and it is determined that it will miss the top two in the group and be out of the tournament 2 rounds early.
Uzbekistan 3-0 Hong Kong
Uzbekistan had an excellent record in the first three rounds, with 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 points like Iran, and this win will qualify. Hong Kong, China only got one point in the first three rounds, and the group situation is extremely dangerous, and they will face elimination if they lose this game. In the last round, Hong Kong, China played against Uzbekistan at Mong Kok Stadium, but unfortunately lost 0-2.
Venue: Tashkent - National Stadium
Referee: Ahmed Ali [Jordan]
In the 20th minute, Shomurodov scored a goal to give Uzbekistan the lead. In the 63rd minute, Yerzinov scored and Uzbekstan extended their lead. In the 70th minute, Marunov scored to give Uzbekistan a 3-0 lead and the victory of the game.
Hong Kong, China lost away from home, picking up just one point from four games. Based on the overall standings situation, the Hong Kong, China team is as many as 9 points behind the top two in the group, and with 2 rounds left in the schedule, it is obvious that it has been eliminated in advance. Uzbekistan has 10 points, ranking in the top two of the group, and getting a ticket to the round of 18 in two rounds in advance.
Group G standings
Tajikistan Saudi Arabia
Tajikistan football is on the rise, reaching the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup. In the first three rounds of the World Preliminary Tournament, 1 win, draw and 1 game each accumulated 4 points, and Jordan ranked second in the group with a goal difference, and lost 0-1 to Saudi Arabia in the last round. The Saudi Arabian team won all three rounds in the first three rounds, leading the group standings with 9 points, and winning this game will advance to advance.
Venue: Dushanbe - Central Hippodrome of the Republic
Referee: Kim Jong-hyuk [South Korea]
The two sides played each other in the first half, with the Saudi team having the advantage and getting more attacking opportunities, but they never scored a goal. In the second half, the Saudi team scored the lead in the 46th minute, and Firas Buraikan scored with a header, and the Saudi team finally took the lead. In the 80th minute, Soyrov scored with a volley, and Tajikistan equalized.
The game ended in a draw, and the Saudi team missed the opportunity away, although the total points increased to 10 points, but did not lock up the top two in the group, and did not get a ticket to the round of 18. Tajikistan got the key 1 point, and the next round away from the Jordan team staged a life-and-death battle, if they can win this game, there is a high probability of advancing to the round of 18.