
Australia snatches valuable victory over Japan and edges closer to World Cup qualification
Canberra - Saba:
The Australian national team secured a valuable victory over its guest, Japan, defeating them 1-0 in the match held today, Thursday, at Perth Stadium, in the ninth round of Group C qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Australian team owes its credit to its player Aziz Behich, who scored the winning goal and the only goal of the match in the 90th minute.
With this result, the Australian team raised its score to 16 points, maintaining its position in second place in the group and moving closer to qualifying for the World Cup, as it is four points behind the leading Japanese team, which has already qualified for the World Cup.
The first and second-place teams from each group qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while the third and fourth-place teams advance to the fourth round to compete for two World Cup berths and a play-off berth.
Whatsapp Telegram Email Print

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Saba Yemen
2 days ago
- Saba Yemen
FIFA decides to allow Congo to continue participating in 2026 World Cup qualifiers
ZURICH - Saba: FIFA has decided to allow the Congolese national team to continue participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers despite missing two rounds of matches last March due to a suspension. FIFA suspended Congo from February to May 2025 due to government interference in the management of the football association. However, the ban was lifted when officials returned to their posts and were allowed to enter the association's headquarters and technical training center. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print


Saba Yemen
6 days ago
- Saba Yemen
Gattuso named new Italy coach, tasked with 2026 World Cup Qualification
Rome – Saba: The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Sunday announced the appointment of former Azzurri midfielder Gennaro Gattuso as the new head coach of the Italian national team. He will be officially presented on June 19. FIGC President Gabriele Gravina praised Gattuso as an "icon of Italian football" whose "motivation, professionalism, and experience will be essential" for upcoming commitments. Gattuso, 47, takes over from Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked last week following a 3-0 defeat to Norway in Italy's opening European qualifier. This move aims to revive Italy's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, after failing to reach the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006 as a player, Gattuso brings coaching experience from clubs like AC Milan, Napoli, Valencia, and Olympique de Marseille. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print


Saba Yemen
08-06-2025
- Saba Yemen
Spalletti announces departure as Italy coach after Tomorrow's Moldova match
Rome – Saba: Luciano Spalletti confirmed on Sunday that he will step down as Italy coach after the match against Moldova in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Monday. The Italian national team coach revealed that he had already been informed that he would be dismissed, but decided to terminate his contract after the Moldova match tomorrow, Monday, following Italy's humiliating 3-0 away defeat to Norway last Friday. Although the loss came at the start of the team's Group 9 campaign, it complicated Italy's chances of qualifying early, leaving them nine points behind leaders Norway, according to Anadolu Agency. During the press conference he held before the Moldova match, Spalletti said: "Gravina (the president of the Italian Football Federation) informed me that I will be relieved of my duties after the match, and we will terminate my contract." He continued, "I was sorry. Given our relationship, I had no intention of giving up, but I take responsibility. I will win and convince myself on Monday to help my successor." Spalletti added, "I would have preferred to stay and do my job, especially when things aren't going well. However, if this is an apology, I have to accept it. I have always considered this role a service to the homeland, and I want to contribute to building the future of the national team." He continued, "I think it's right to look for the best, and I will finish my contract. I will be present tomorrow against Moldova. I have always maintained that my players are strong, and the results under my management are what they are, and I have to take responsibility." Luciano Spalletti, 66, took over as coach of the Italian national team in September 2023, succeeding Roberto Mancini, on a contract until 2026. Under Spalletti, Italy played a total of 23 matches, winning 11, drawing six, and losing six. The Italian national team missed the last two World Cups, in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)