Seven progress to complete Asia's last-12 line-uphttp://img.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/02/77/31/85/2773185_full-lnd.jpgThe line-up of Asia’s third qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ was complete with the remaining seven slots filled on Tuesday’s closing matchday of the second round. While Australia, Iran and Uzbekistan all prevailed to progress as group winners, Syria, Iraq, China PR and United Arab Emirates finished as the four best runners-up to join the already-qualified Qatar, Korea Republic, Japan, Thailand and Saudi Arabia in the next phase. The draw for the next round will take place on 12 April in Kuala Lumpur.
With the competition also serving as the qualifying for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates, these teams received added reward with qualification to the continental finals. Despite elimination from FIFA World Cup qualifying, though, the rest of the sides all made it to AFC Asian Cup qualifying. The next top-sixteen finishers, including the four remaining runners-up, progress to the third qualifying round to UAE 2019, while even the rest of the teams had their own share of joy by featuring in the AFC Asian Cup qualifying play-off round. Join FIFA.com as we review all of the exciting action across the continent.
The match
Philippines 3-2 Korea DPR
Goals: Misagh Bahadoran 43, Manuel Ott 84, Iain Ramsay 90; So Kyong Jin 45+2, Ri Hyok Chol 48
Philippines from Group H, under American Thomas Dooley, produced one of the matchday's biggest surprises by overcoming South Africa 2010 finalists Korea DPR 3-2, fulfilling the former USA captain's promise of defeating the Chollima at home. In what proved to be a seesaw-battle, the hosts, who came away with an unlikely goalless draw in Pyongyang, came from behind to see off a side 44 places above them in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. While the result did little to help the Razkals’ qualification, it did contribute in shattering the visitors' hopes of a place in the last 12.
Desperately needing points to secure progression, Korea DPR pressed hard from the outset. It was, however, the home side that took the lead in surprising fashion, Misagh Bahadoran heading home to complete a move initiated by Javier Patino two minutes from the break. So Kyong-Jin soon drew the scoreline level before Ri Hyok-Chol put the visitors ahead shortly after the restart. The game looking destined for victory in the visitors’ favour, however, the home side staged a strong comeback with a two quick-fire goals from Manuel Ott and Iain Ramsay sealing a memorable victory for the tournament debutants. In another match in the group, having seen their progression confirmed by Korea DPR's loss, Uzbekistan went on to win 1-0 over Bahrain at home.
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