Milan, June 10 (LaPresse) – Japan and South Korea have successfully concluded their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns with two clear home wins against Indonesia and Kuwait respectively. In Osaka, Daichi Kamada scored after 15 minutes, giving Japan, who are preparing for their eighth consecutive World Cup, a 6-0 victory. Takefusa Kubo doubled the lead five minutes later and Kamada extended the advantage shortly before halftime. Shortly after the restart, Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino joined in and Mao Hosoya made it six. In the third round of Asian qualifying, the top two teams from each of the three six-team groups automatically qualify for the World Cup. Jordan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan, and South Korea have already qualified for the 48-team tournament to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Only one spot remains available, in Group C. It will go to Australia on Tuesday if the Socceroos avoid defeat by five goals in Saudi Arabia. South Korea, qualified for their 11th consecutive World Cup, secured first place in Group B by beating Kuwait 4-0. Jeon Jin-woo scored in the 33rd minute at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and Lee Kang-in doubled the lead shortly after the restart. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung also found the net. The six teams that finish third and fourth will advance to another round to compete for the two remaining automatic spots for Asia. In another match, China defeated Bahrain 1-0, with both teams already eliminated from the competition.
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