Palestine Makes History by Advancing to Third Round of FIFA World Cup: With a goalless draw against Lebanon on Thursday in Doha, Palestine qualified for the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time.
Palestinian football has already made history this year by making its debut in the knockout phase of the Asian Cup against the backdrop of the Gaza war.
Despite Lebanon’s rough tactics and seven yellow cards, Palestine, who came into the match with seven points, won the match with a draw.
Moreover, Palestine will be participating in the AFC Asian Cup finals in 2027 for the fourth consecutive time.
The Socceroos won 2-0 against Bangladesh in Dhaka last week under coach Makram Daboub.
Born in a refugee camp in Tanzania after his parents fled fighting in Burundi, Nestory Irankunda made his debut for unbeaten Australia.
The 18-year-old’s short pass found Ajdin Hrustic from long range in the 29th minute for the first goal.
After half-time, Kusini Yengi scored the second goal.
PSG’s Lee Kang-in and Tottenham’s Son Heung-min both scored twice as South Korea beat Singapore 7-0, while India’s Sunil Chhetri fought back tears as he made his 151st and final appearance for his country in a goalless draw against Kuwait.
Almost 59,000 fans in Kolkata cheered Chhetri as he left the pitch, bringing to an end a career that placed him among the world’s best scorers.
Over nearly two decades, he scored 94 goals for India, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, Iran’s retired Ali Daei and Lionel Messi.
At Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan held reigning Asian champion Qatar to a goalless draw.
Despite dominating the game and enjoying nearly 70 percent possession against Afghanistan, who now have five points in Group A, Qatar has already qualified for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In the 57th minute, Tahsin Jamshid’s header off a Mahdi Salem cross was denied by the woodwork.
In Dammam, UAE trounced Nepal 4-0 after Harib Suhail netted a brace in the 12th and 14th minutes.
Two goals came from Feras Al Buraikan (26th and 41st minutes) and one came after the break from Musab Al Juwayr (59th minute).
Joo Min-kyu, Bae Jun-ho, and Hwang Hee-chan also scored goals for South Korea, which finished first in Asia Group C.
Branko Ivankovic’s side drew 1-1 against Thailand at home in Shenyang, so they need a point to clinch the second qualifying place.
Iraq defeated Indonesia 2-0 in Jakarta, finishing the game with 10 men after Jordi Amat was sent off.
Thanks to a Pham Tuan Hai goal in the fifth minute of added time, Vietnam now trail Indonesia by one point in the race for the second qualifying spot.
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