Soccer - Australia beat China to tighten hold on World Cup qualifying berth; Saudi stay alive after draw with Japan

Japan's forward Daizen Maeda (R) and Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper Nawaf al Aqidi (L) fight for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Japan and Saudi Arabia in Saitama on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

SYDENY/TOKYO (Reuters): Australia took another stride towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with Tony Popovic's side handing China a 2-0 defeat in Hangzhou as Group C rivals Saudi Arabia were held to a 0-0 draw by already-qualified Japan at Saitama Stadium.

South Korea's struggles on home soil continued, meanwhile, as Hong Myung-bo's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Jordan in Suwon in Group B.