Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana) XIAMEN, China (AP) — Japan is within touching distance of an eighth successive World Cup appearance after beating China 3-1 on Tuesday put the team 10 points clear in its Asian qualifying group ...

Japan's march to the 2026 World Cup continued on Tuesday as Hajime Moriyasu's side handed China a 3-1 defeat in Xiamen to notch up a fifth win in Asia's third round of preliminaries while Saudi Arabia suffered a 2-0 loss against Indonesia.

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.

A ruthless Japan moved to the brink of qualifying for their eighth straight World Cup after beating old rivals China 3-1 away on Tuesday. 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.

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.

Japan hammered a hapless Indonesia side 4-0 on Friday, extending their lead at the top of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and edging them closer to an eighth consecutive spot at football's premier spectacle.

The Samurai Blue solidified their top spot in Group C with 13 points from five matches, while Indonesia remains at the bottom

Japan's march to the 2026 World Cup continued on Tuesday as Hajime Moriyasu's side handed China a 3-1 defeat in Xiamen to notch up a fifth win in Asia's third round of preliminaries while Saudi Arabia suffered a 2-0 loss against Indonesia.