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AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

Kuala Lumpur: Japan and Thailand continued to impress at the Asian Games 2026, registering emphatic wins in Group A of the men’s football tournament on Sunday to confirm their places in the quarter-finals.
Thailand powered to a 5-1 win over Hong Kong, China, while Japan were equally dominant, cruising 7-0 past Kyrgyz Republic.

In Group B, Islamic Republic of Iran and China PR played to a goalless draw to move onto four points each.
Group A
Hong Kong, China 1-5 Thailand
Hong Kong, China took the lead in the 14th minute through Wu Chun Ming but Thailand drew level six minutes before the break through Thanakrit Chotmuangpak.

Thailand took the lead in the 54th minute when Paripan Wongsa found the back of the net before a Tsang Yi Hang own goal two minutes later put them firmly in control.

Jehhanafee Mamah added Thailand's fourth in the 76th minute with Worawut Noisri completing the emphatic victory six minutes from time.
Kyrgyz Republic 0-7 Japan
Yumeki Yokoyama opened the scoring in the 28th minute before Shuto Nagano and Yuto Ozeki struck in the 36th and 39th minutes respectively.

Yotaro Nakajima converted a penalty in the 70th minute with Hisatsugu Ishii adding the fifth two minutes later.

Yudai Shimamoto then struck twice in the closing stages, finding the net in the 79th and 86th minutes to complete the emphatic victory.
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Group B
IR Iran 0-0 China PR
After a cagey first half, China PR stepped up the pressure with Wang Yudong forcing a save from distance before Wu Xi rattled the crossbar from the resulting corner.

Wang then went close from near the halfway line, while Iran almost snatched a stoppage-time winner through Masoud Mohebbi.

China PR will next face the United Arab Emirates, while Iran meet DPR Korea, with a draw enough to send both sides through to the next round.

Group B
DPR Korea 0-0 UAE
UAE made the brighter start, with Ali Al Blooshi and Junior Ndiaye both forcing DPR goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok into early saves, before the East Asian side began to grow into the contest.

DPR Korea increased the pressure after the break, with Ri Il Song twice testing UAE goalkeeper Khaled Al Mohtadi before being sent off after picking up a second yellow card on the hour mark.

The UAE looked to make their numerical advantage count, with Mohammed Al Mansoori forcing DPR goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok into a save in the 77th minute.

The UAE were also reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Al Mansoori received his second yellow card as the sides settled for a point apiece.
 
Photos: Asian Games

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