Asian World Cup qualifiers: Kluivert's Indonesia crushes Chinese hopes

PERTH, Australia (AP) — China was eliminated from 2026 World Cup qualification Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta.

A first-half penalty from Ole Romeny was enough to keep China, whose sole appearance was in 2002, last in Group C with just one game remaining.

Indonesia, coached by Patrick Kluivert, took the lead just before the break when Romeny converted from the penalty spot.

Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance.

Australia can qualify for its sixth successive World Cup later Thursday if Saudi Arabia, next week’s final group opponent, fails to win in Bahrain.

The already-qualified Japan fielded an experimental XI with only Daichi Kamada and Koki Machida having made more than four international appearances, but still had the majority of possession and chances.

Substitute Takefusa Kubo had perhaps the best opportunity with 10 minutes remaining, but the midfielder shot wide of the post from inside the area.

In the 90th minute, Riley McGree broke free down the right and pulled back for Behich to curl home to bring Perth Stadium to its feet and give Australia its first win over Japan in 16 years.

"It hasn't sunk in just yet but when the final whistle went it was a great feeling," Behich said. "It was a tough game and we had to grind it out. It's been a long campaign and we have worked so hard."

The teams who finish third and fourth in the three groups in this third round of Asian qualifying will advance to a fourth stage to compete for the remaining two Asian places at the World Cup.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer