AFC World Cup Qualifying – Match Recaps – 16 October 2012
Australia beat Iraq, Iran edged South Korea, Uzbekistan won at Qatar, and Oman beat Jordan in AFC World Cup Qualifying on October 16, 2012.
Qatar 0-1 Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s Sanjar Tursunov scored the match winner in the 13th minute to give his side the three points. It’s the first win of this round of qualifying for Uzbekistan as they are two points behind South Korea and Iran.
| 13′ | 0 – 1 | Sanjar Tursunov |
Iran 1-0 South Korea
The home side overcame a first half red card to get the narrow victory. The result is a bit of a surprise as South Korea had been very strong in qualifying (its their first loss) had the man advantage for 35 minutes. The two teams are tied at the top of Group A with seven points.
| 55′ | Masoud Shojaei (red card) | ||
| 75′ | Javad Nekounam | 1 – 0 |
Oman 2-1 Jordan
Oman won their first match of this qualifying round behind goals from Ahmed Mubarak and Abdulaziz Maqbali. Jordan mate a late charge with a goal from Thaer Bawab but it was too late. Oman are tied with Australia with five points while Jordan have four points and a -6 goal difference.
| 62′ | Ahmed Mubarak | 1 – 0 | |
| 87′ | Abdulaziz Maqbali | 2 – 0 | |
| 90′ | 2 – 1 | Thaer Bawab |
Iraq 1-2 Australia
A dramatic and crucial win for the Socceroos who looked dead in the water after a 72nd minute Alaa Abdul-Zehra goal. Australia’s Tim Cahill equalized about eight minutes later and Archie Thompson scored the match winner in the 84th minute. The win moves Australia up to second place in Group B and still with a realistic chance to catch leaders Japan.
| 72′ | Alaa Abdul-Zehra | 1 – 0 | |
| 80′ | 1 – 1 | Tim Cahill | |
| 84′ | 1 – 2 | Archie Thompson |
