World Cup qualifiers

2024 - 9 - 5

Japan Crushes China While Socceroos Stumble – What a Rollercoaster! 🎢⚽

Asian Cup - Australia Soccer - Bahrain Football - China Football - FIFA 2026 World Cup - Japan Football - World Cup Qualifiers

What a match day! Japan thrashes China 7-0, while Australia suffers a shocking defeat to Bahrain. Catch all the wild action!

In what can only be described as a thrilling start to the World Cup qualifiers, Japan demonstrated their dominance on the field, tearing through China with a staggering 7-0 victory! The match was filled with electrifying moments, with Premier League stars Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo each netting a goal and showcasing their top-tier prowess. Captain Wataru Endo had previously cautioned his teammates about the threats posed by seasoned coaches and their strategies, proving that a sharp mindset can lead to overwhelming success on the pitch. The match took place in Saitama, where fans rejoiced as their team began the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with a bang.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing on the other side of the continent as the Australia national football team, also known as the Socceroos, experienced a shocking upset against Bahrain. In a match that could only be described as chaotic, Australia's Kusini Yengi was sent off early in the game for a high boot, leaving the team one player down. Bahrain seized the opportunity, scoring a last-minute own goal that handed them their first-ever victory over the former Asian champions, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief at the final score of 1-0.

But wait, there’s more! Japan’s impressive offensive display highlighted the depth of talent in their squad, with Takumi Minamino contributing a brace and Junya Ito the MVP with one goal and two assists. The highlight of the night for Japan was indeed the cohesive team effort—something that coach Hajime Moriyasu is no doubt proud of as they look forward to the upcoming challenges in the qualifiers. Japan's last outing in the Asian Cup earlier this year, which ended in a quarter-final heartbreak against Iran, certainly provided a missing puzzle piece that propelled the team forward in this match.

The thrill of the World Cup qualifiers seems to energize not just players but also fans around the globe. With Japan’s explosive start and Australia’s alarming stumble, the stakes are getting higher as teams vie for a spot in the grand tournament. By the time the qualifiers wrap up, we’ll have stories that rival even the most dramatic films—and maybe even a plot twist or two! So, keep those popcorns ready and stay tuned for more footballing fun!

Did you know that Japan has participated in every World Cup since 1998? They’re looking fierce this time around! And for the Socceroos, this loss marks one of the most unexpected moments in their qualifying history. This is football, where anything can happen!

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Image courtesy of "South China Morning Post"

World Cup qualifiers: Wataru Endo warns Japan of dangers in Asian ... (South China Morning Post)

Japan captain says he is wary of China's wily 70-year-old coach, who has twice masterminded wins over the Japanese in his previous jobs.

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Image courtesy of "Socceroos"

Match Preview: Australia v Bahrain | FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier™ (Socceroos)

The Subway Socceroos face Bahrain to begin their FIFA World Cup 2026™ Third Round Asian Qualifiers at Robina Stadium.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Socceroos make horror start to World Cup qualifiers as Bahrain ... (The Guardian)

Bahrain stun Australia 0-1 with a 89th-minute own goal after Kusini Yengi sees red for a high boot.

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Image courtesy of "Gulf Digital News"

Football: Bahrain beat Australia in World Cup Qualifiers (Gulf Digital News)

Bahrain have stunned 10-man Australia 1-0 this afternoon in their opening match of the third round of Asian qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters India"

Japan must focus on positives ahead of World Cup qualifiers, Endo ... (Reuters India)

Japan were stung by their quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup earlier this year but midfielder Wataru Endo says they must not dwell on that setback and ...

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

As it happened: Out-of-sorts Socceroos suffer horror start in World ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Follow all the action as Australia play the first of a series of critical clashes in the tougher third round of World Cup qualifying.

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Image courtesy of "VAVEL.com"

Goals and Highlights: Japan vs China in World Cup Qualifiers (7-0) (VAVEL.com)

Get real-time updates on Japan vs China live coverage minute by minute of the match, score and result online, stream information, how to watch, TV channel, ...

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Image courtesy of "Sportstar"

AFC FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier: Endo sends Japan warning ... (Sportstar)

Japan is one of the continent's top sides but it crashed and burned at the Asian Cup in Qatar at the start of the year, losing to Iran in the quarterfinals.

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Image courtesy of "New Straits Times Online"

Mitoma, Endo score as Japan thrash China 7-0 in World Cup ... (New Straits Times Online)

SAITAMA: Premier League stars Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo both scored as Japan thrashed China 7-0 on Thursday to start the third round of Asian World Cup ...

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Image courtesy of "WION"

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: We remember..., Japan captain ... (WION)

Captain Wataru Endo has urged Japan to use the frustration of their failed Asian Cup campaign to fire them to the 2026 World Cup, starting against China on ...

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Image courtesy of "CNA"

Mitoma, Endo score as Japan thrash China 7-0 in World Cup ... (CNA)

Premier League stars Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo both scored as Japan thrashed China 7-0 on Thursday (Sep 5) to start the third round of Asian World Cup ...

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Image courtesy of "Kyodo News Plus"

Football: Japan thump China 7-0 to open final-round World Cup ... (Kyodo News Plus)

Takumi Minamino hit a brace and Junya Ito returned with a goal and two assists as Japan demolished China 7-0 at home to begin their 2026 World Cup ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Bahrain beat Australia 1-0 for shock result in 2026 World Cup ... (Aljazeera.com)

A late own goal handed Bahrain their first-ever win over former Asian champions Australia.

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Image courtesy of "People's Daily Online"

2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier: China vs. Japan - People's ... (People's Daily Online)

Players of China pose for photos before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier match between China and Japan in Saitama, Japan, Sept. 5, 2024.

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Japan hammer China, Australia stunned in World Cup qualifiers (FRANCE 24)

Japan made a rampant start to the decisive third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by hammering China 7-0 but Australia suffered a shock home ...

Japan hammer China, Australia stunned in World Cup qualifiers ... (Macau Business)

China, International, MNA | Japan made a rampant start to the decisive third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by hammering China 7-0 on ...

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Image courtesy of "Sportstar"

FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers: Japan thrashes China 7-0 ... (Sportstar)

Japan cruised to a winning start in the third phase of Asia's preliminaries for the 2026 World Cup as Hajime Moriyasu's side thrashed China 7-0 at Saitama ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Bahrain frustrate Socceroos in shock World Cup qualifier loss (ABC News)

A 10-man Socceroos outfit has suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain on the Gold Coast in a disastrous setback to their hopes of direct World Cup ...

Japan Hammer China, Australia Stunned In World Cup Qualifiers (Barron's)

Japan made a rampant start to the decisive third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by hammering China 7-0 on Thursday but Australia suffered ...

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Image courtesy of "Sportstar"

Argentina vs Chile LIVE score, FIFA World Cup qualifier: Messi out ... (Sportstar)

ARG vs CHI Live score: Catch the live score and updates from the Argentina vs Chile FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match being played at the Estadio Mâs ...

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Image courtesy of "Free Malaysia Today"

Argentina cruise past Chile 3-0 in World Cup qualifier (Free Malaysia Today)

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina claimed a 3-0 home win over Chile on Thursday thanks to second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala, to ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters India"

China coach laments 'most difficult night' after 7-0 loss to Japan (Reuters India)

China coach Branko Ivankovic rued the toughest night of his career after his team slumped to a record 7-0 loss to Japan in a World Cup qualifier.

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Image courtesy of "The Straits Times"

Argentina cruise past Chile, Bolivia thrash Venezuela in World Cup ... (The Straits Times)

Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala all scored in Argentina's 3-0 victory. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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Image courtesy of "New Straits Times Online"

Argentina cruise past Chile, Bolivia thrash Venezuela in World Cup ... (New Straits Times Online)

BUENOS AIRES: Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala were on target as Argentina tightened their grip on South America's 2026 World Cup ...

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Image courtesy of "Firstpost"

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Argentina cruise past Chile, Bolivia ... (Firstpost)

Argentina are now cruising towards confirming their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup being staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

Australia stunned by Bahrain in World Cup qualifying as ... (The Associated Press)

Meanwhile, South Korea was held to 0-0 by the Palestinians in Seoul. Despite losing all six previous games against Australia, Bahrain won thanks to an own goal ...

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