Japan is within touching distance of an eighth successive World Cup appearance after beating China 3-1 in Xiamen put the team 10 points clear in its Asian qualifying group.

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.

Indonesia pulled themselves into contention with a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in front of their home fans in Jakarta, Marselino Ferdinan scoring twice to give Shin Tae-yong’s team their first win of the campaign.

Japan has defeated Indonesia 4-0 to move seven points clear in Group C in the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Japan moved to the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday as a 3-1 win over hosts China coupled with Australia's 2-2 draw in Bahrain took Hajime Moriyasu's side nine points clear in Group C of the third round of Asia's preliminaries.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is set to take on Japan in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday, November 15, 2024. The match, scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. Jakarta time, will be broadcast live on RCTI and the Vision+ streaming platform.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said Thursday he expects a tough test against an Indonesian team filled with European-born players when the two sides clash in World Cup qualifying in Jakarta.

Japan thrashed Indonesia 4-0 in Jakarta on Friday as Hajime Moriyasu's relentless side moved seven points clear at the top of Group C of Asia's 2026 World Cup qualifiers and another step closer to an automatic finals spot.

While Japan run away with thrilling Group C, just one point separates second-place Australia and bottom side China.