South Korea, Japan lose Asian Cup qualifiers
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-26 10:49

South Korea and Japan, co-hosts of the 2002 World Cup, lost qualifying games on the road Friday but remain favorites to reach the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

South Korea, a semifinalist in 2002, fell 2-0 to Saudi Arabia in Group A on goals by Saud Kariri and Yasser el-Khatani. Iran, behind two goals by Vahid Hashemian, defeated Japan 2-1 in Group B.

Iran's Vahid Hashemian (L) scores Iran's first goal as Japanese defenders look on during their the World Cup 2006 qualifying match in Tehran. Iran won 2-1. [AFP]

In other games, Kuwait topped Uzbekistan 2-1, and Bahrain edged North Korea 2-1.

Saudi Arabia, which also qualified for the last World Cup, leads Group A with four points. South Korea and Kuwait are next with three points each.

In Group B, Bahrain and Iran are in front with four points apiece, followed by Japan with three. Japan, which reached the second round at the last World Cup and won the Asian Cup, is looking for its third straight appearance in soccer's showpiece event.

The top two teams in each group qualify for the World Cup while the third-place teams face a series of playoffs to earn the fifth Asian spot.

Close

Liu Xiang and Allen Johnson to compete in Shanghai England squad debuts Yao Ming VS Shaq O'Neal

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
New rules to safeguard charms of old Beijing         KMT's mainland trip aims to ease tension         Japan, China row heats up over UN seat         Cross-Straits ties threatened by protest         Forex chief elected to chair bank         Anger spreads over Japan's 'twisted' books	South Korea, Japan lose Asian Cup qualifiers       Athletics: IAAF Grand Prix come to Shanghai       Beijing soccer club to change name       Olympics: Beijing stresses anti-terrorism       McGrady leads Rockets past Cavaliers 99-80       T-Wolves lose forward for the season