AFC Asian Qualifiers
The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia also kept their hopes alive by entering the fourth round slated for October.
But, before that, it’s your turn to decide which of these 12 players from the third round is named the Player of the Round – presented by STA – by casting your votes.
But, before that, it’s your turn to decide which of these 12 players from the third round is named the Player of the Round – presented by STA – by casting your votes.
Yazan Al Naimat – Jordan
Jordan qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup after finishing second behind Korea Republic in Group B and Yazan Al Naimat among the driving forces behind their historic feat. The 26-year-old forward scored twice each in wins against Palestine and Oman to finish with five goals and two assists in 10 appearances in the third round.
Mehdi Taremi – Islamic Republic of Iran
Mehdi Taremi again proved that he is among the best forwards in Asia as he turned on the style to help the Islamic Republic of Iran qualify for their fourth successive FIFA World Cup. The 32-year-old Team Melli striker not only scored five goals to be among the joint top scorers in third round but also bagged four assists.
Ole Romeny – Indonesia
Ole Romeny’s three goals were instrumental as Indonesia pipped China PR and Bahrain to take fourth in Group C and enter the fourth round. The 25-year-old forward only won his first cap in March but made a blistering start to his international career – scoring the winning goals against Bahrain and China PR to boost Indonesia’s FIFA World Cup hopes.
Jordan qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup after finishing second behind Korea Republic in Group B and Yazan Al Naimat among the driving forces behind their historic feat. The 26-year-old forward scored twice each in wins against Palestine and Oman to finish with five goals and two assists in 10 appearances in the third round.
Mehdi Taremi – Islamic Republic of Iran
Mehdi Taremi again proved that he is among the best forwards in Asia as he turned on the style to help the Islamic Republic of Iran qualify for their fourth successive FIFA World Cup. The 32-year-old Team Melli striker not only scored five goals to be among the joint top scorers in third round but also bagged four assists.
Ole Romeny – Indonesia
Ole Romeny’s three goals were instrumental as Indonesia pipped China PR and Bahrain to take fourth in Group C and enter the fourth round. The 25-year-old forward only won his first cap in March but made a blistering start to his international career – scoring the winning goals against Bahrain and China PR to boost Indonesia’s FIFA World Cup hopes.
Takefusa Kubo – Japan
Japan are through to their eighth FIFA World Cup in a row, and one player they will hope will make an impact on the global stage will be Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old kept Japan ticking in the third round, registering three goals and six assists, including a goal and two assists as captain in their final outing against Indonesia.
Utkir Yusupov - Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan were almost impenetrable as they booked a place in their first-ever FIFA World Cup. And marshalling their backline from between the goalposts was the experienced Utkir Yusupov. The 34-year-old goalkeeper kept seven clean sheets in the third round and was player of the match in the draw with UAE that sealed their progress.
Son Heung-min - Korea Republic
Son Heung-min, Korea Republic’s captain, leader and legend, was influential as the Taegeuk Warriors punched their ticket to the FIFA World Cup as Group B winners. The Tottenham Hotspur star scored three goals, including in wins against Oman and Kuwait, and provided three assists too for the Koreans, who made it to their 11th successive FIFA World Cup.
Japan are through to their eighth FIFA World Cup in a row, and one player they will hope will make an impact on the global stage will be Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old kept Japan ticking in the third round, registering three goals and six assists, including a goal and two assists as captain in their final outing against Indonesia.
Utkir Yusupov - Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan were almost impenetrable as they booked a place in their first-ever FIFA World Cup. And marshalling their backline from between the goalposts was the experienced Utkir Yusupov. The 34-year-old goalkeeper kept seven clean sheets in the third round and was player of the match in the draw with UAE that sealed their progress.
Son Heung-min - Korea Republic
Son Heung-min, Korea Republic’s captain, leader and legend, was influential as the Taegeuk Warriors punched their ticket to the FIFA World Cup as Group B winners. The Tottenham Hotspur star scored three goals, including in wins against Oman and Kuwait, and provided three assists too for the Koreans, who made it to their 11th successive FIFA World Cup.
Fabio Lima – United Arab Emirates
Fabio Lima enjoyed an excellent AFC Asian Qualifiers campaign for the UAE with five goals and two assists. But his most memorable display came against Qatar in Abu Dhabi as the 31-year-old scored four goals for the Emiratis in a commanding 5-0 victory against the visitors. The UAE will hope Lima carries his devastating form to the fourth round.
Akram Afif – Qatar
Akram Afif was again the creative fulcrum for Qatar in the third round, providing an impressive eight assists, including a hat-trick of them against DPR Korea, along with two goals. The 2023 AFC Asian Cup™ Most Valuable Player showcased his vision and flair, playing a pivotal role in guiding Qatar to the fourth round of the qualifiers.
Aziz Behich – Australia
Aziz Behich was ever-present for Australia as they once again qualified for the FIFA World Cup, featuring in all 10 of the third-round ties and orchestrating the Socceroos attacks down the left flank. His standout moment came on the penultimate matchday as he stunned Japan with a 90th-minute winner, inflicting the Samurai Blue’s only qualifiers defeat.
Fabio Lima enjoyed an excellent AFC Asian Qualifiers campaign for the UAE with five goals and two assists. But his most memorable display came against Qatar in Abu Dhabi as the 31-year-old scored four goals for the Emiratis in a commanding 5-0 victory against the visitors. The UAE will hope Lima carries his devastating form to the fourth round.
Akram Afif – Qatar
Akram Afif was again the creative fulcrum for Qatar in the third round, providing an impressive eight assists, including a hat-trick of them against DPR Korea, along with two goals. The 2023 AFC Asian Cup™ Most Valuable Player showcased his vision and flair, playing a pivotal role in guiding Qatar to the fourth round of the qualifiers.
Aziz Behich – Australia
Aziz Behich was ever-present for Australia as they once again qualified for the FIFA World Cup, featuring in all 10 of the third-round ties and orchestrating the Socceroos attacks down the left flank. His standout moment came on the penultimate matchday as he stunned Japan with a 90th-minute winner, inflicting the Samurai Blue’s only qualifiers defeat.
Aymen Hussein – Iraq
Aymen Hussein led Iraq’s attack with aplomb and bagged four goals in the third round, including winners against Oman and Palestine. The 29-year-old striker's clinical finishing helped Iraq push for an automatic FIFA World Cup berth, but they narrowly missed out. They will now hope Hussein's goals will bring them success in the fourth round.
Muhsen Al Ghassani – Oman
Muhsen Al Ghassani bagged two goals and an assist as Oman kept their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive by reaching the fourth round, holding Palestine to a 1-1 draw in their final outing. The Bangkok United forward opened his account in a 4-0 win against Kuwait and then netted in a vital 1-0 win over Palestine in Muscat.
Hassan Al Tambakti – Saudi Arabia
Hassan Al Tambakti was a rock at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s defence during the AFC Asian Qualifiers, helping his side keep five clean sheets during the third round. His composure and leadership at the back were crucial as the Green Falcons progressed to the fourth round after finishing third in Group B, behind Japan and Australia.
Aymen Hussein led Iraq’s attack with aplomb and bagged four goals in the third round, including winners against Oman and Palestine. The 29-year-old striker's clinical finishing helped Iraq push for an automatic FIFA World Cup berth, but they narrowly missed out. They will now hope Hussein's goals will bring them success in the fourth round.
Muhsen Al Ghassani – Oman
Muhsen Al Ghassani bagged two goals and an assist as Oman kept their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive by reaching the fourth round, holding Palestine to a 1-1 draw in their final outing. The Bangkok United forward opened his account in a 4-0 win against Kuwait and then netted in a vital 1-0 win over Palestine in Muscat.
Hassan Al Tambakti – Saudi Arabia
Hassan Al Tambakti was a rock at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s defence during the AFC Asian Qualifiers, helping his side keep five clean sheets during the third round. His composure and leadership at the back were crucial as the Green Falcons progressed to the fourth round after finishing third in Group B, behind Japan and Australia.
Poll ends at 17:00 (UTC+8) on July 25
