Jamie Maclaren of Australia celebrates a purpose towards Bangladesh throughout their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Melbourne, Australia, November 16, 2023. /CFP
Australia crushed Bangladesh 7-0, whereas Japan thrashed Myanmar 5-0 in the course of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.
Jamie Maclaren got here off the bench to attain a second half hat-trick and Mitchell Duke scored a brace late for Australia within the first half at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
In entrance of a crowd of 20,876, the hosts had been on the board within the fourth minute courtesy of a Harry Souttar header, the towering defender rising to satisfy a pinpoint Craig Goodwin free kick from simply outdoors the realm.
Brandon Borrello doubled the lead within the twentieth minute when he latched onto a neat Connor Metcalfe cross and slipped a shot by goalkeeper Mitul Marma.
Duke then scored twice in 4 minutes, nodding in a nice header from one other Metcalfe help earlier than firing in a rebound off the submit when Borrello despatched a rocket thudding into the woodwork.
Maclaren did all of the harm within the second half, tapping in a Jordan Bos cross shortly after the restart earlier than pouncing once more within the seventieth minute when a Massimo Luongo shot pinged off the keeper.
Thursday’s match additionally marked the fiftieth anniversary of Australia sealing qualification for the 1974 World Cup, the nation’s first look on the international showpiece.
“Overall it was a good performance but I think we still need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal,” Graham Arnold, coach of Team Australia, advised reporters.
“It could have been double-figures easily, and it should have been.”
Ayase Ueda (L) of Japan jumps for the ball in the course of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier towards Myanmar in Suita, Japan, November 16, 2023. /CFP
Japan thrashed Myanmar 5-0 on Thursday to get their bid to achieve an eighth straight World Cup off to an emphatic begin.
Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda scored a hat-trick because the hosts shrugged off the absence of injured Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma in Osaka.
Daichi Kamada and Ritsu Doan additionally obtained on the scoresheet as Japan took their purpose tally to 29 of their final seven video games, all of which they’ve gained.
Japan’s subsequent qualifier towards Syria can be held in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
“We had chances to score more goals,” mentioned Hajime Moriyasu, coach of Team Japan.
“We have to be able to create more opportunities and reduce the amount of times we find ourselves in difficulty.”
(With enter from businesses)
Source: CGTN