SYDNEY (17 November 2023) – It was a day of mixed fortunes for teams across the AFF Region with some making a positive start while others not faring so well in their opening campaign of the second round qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 last night.
Australia started the day on a smashing note in Group I when they overwhelmed Bangladesh 7-0 at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as Malaysia then followed it up with an awesome comeback 4-3 victory over the Kyrgyz Republic at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in Group D.
Former AFF champions Vietnam in Group F sidestepped the Philippines 2-0 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
In between, host Thailand could not get the better of China at home at the Rajamangala Stadium when they conceded a 2-1 loss in their opening Group C encounter.
Also in Group C, Singapore fell to a 5-0 loss to South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium while Indonesia succumbed to a 5-1 defeat to Iraq at the Basra International Stadium.
In Group B, Myanmar were overwhelmed 5-0 by Japan at the Suita City Football Stadium.
The second match of the second round qualifiers will be played on 21 November 2023.
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