Early Japan strike sinks N Korea in World Cup qualifier

Japan scored after just 90 seconds and held out North Korea to win 1-0 and maintain their perfect start in the second round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Ao Tanaka’s strike at the National Stadium in Tokyo gave the hosts three wins from three group B games.

The midfielder fired home from inside a crowded penalty area after a Ritsu Doan pullback.

North Korea, cheered on by a small pocket of red-shirted fans, lacked attacking power to get back in the game.

With just three points from the first three group games, North Korea need a result on Tuesday against the same opponents in Pyongyang.

“We wanted to give our fans a good result and we are sorry we could not, but it was a good game,” North Korea coach Sin Yong Nam said.

South Korea were held by Thailand to 1-1 in Seoul in their first game since Jurgen Klinsmann was fired as the coach in February after their Asian Cup semi-final defeat.

Son Heung-min put South Korea ahead after 42 minutes with a shot from close range, but just after an hour, Suphanat Mueanta levelled.

Despite dropping two points, South Korea remain on top of group C.

In Jordan’s first action since losing the Asian Cup final to Qatar in February, they beat Pakistan 3-0.

Australia have now won all three of their Group I games after defeating Lebanon 2-0 in Sydney.

The top two teams from each of the nine groups will advance to the final round. Asia’s automatic allocation at the World Cup has increased from four to eight.