Following a 16-month break, World Cup qualifying in Asia has continued with Tajikistan defeating Mongolia 3-0.
The second round of Asia’s qualification competition ought to have been finished in June 2020 however games were over and over deferred due to the Covid pandemic.
Tajikistan scored early when Manuchekhr Dzhalilov headed in a cross. Alisher Dzhalilov and Shahrom Samiev got in the second half before a vivacious horde of 14,000 at the Central Republican Stadium in Dushanbe.
Tajikistan trail leaders Japan by two in Group F. Mongolia were eliminated however travel to Japan for Tuesday’s qualifier.
Japan got ready for that match with a friendly against South Korea in Yokohama, and defeated the guests 3-0 before 8,356 masked fans who were approached to avoid cheering.
Miki Yamane and Daichi Kamada scored in the first half, and Wataru Endo added a third late.
South Korea were feeling the loss of a few central participants, including harmed Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, however it was as yet a frustrating outcome for their mentor Paulo Bento.
Additionally on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia play Palestine in the third qualifier to happen in March with the remainder of the second round closing in June.