SAITAMA, Japan, — A first-half penalty from Hiroshi Kiyotake helped Japan to a much-needed 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in the third round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.
A debatable handball in the area gave Kiyotake his opportunity in the 45th minute, and Genki Haraguchi added a second for Japan with 11 minutes remaining. Omar Hawsawi scored for Saudi Arabia with a minute left.
The victory moves Japan level with Saudi Arabia with 10 points after five Group B games and marks the first loss for Saudi Arabia, which still holds the top spot on goal difference.
The top two teams in the two groups will qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the two third-place teams playing to decide which advances to the intercontinental playoffs.
In a foul-tempered qualifier a debatable penalty boosted Japan’s hopes of qualifying and also eased the pressure on under-fire coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
Kiyotake converted on the stroke of half-time after Saudi defender Abdulmalek Al Khaibri was adjudged to have handled, despite replays showing Kiyotake's initial shot had struck him in the chest.
The Saudis protested furiously to referee Muhammad bin Jahari of Singapore and scuffles broke out between the players, which continued as they disappeared down the tunnel at the interval.
Australia 2, Thailand 2
Australia were looking to go top with a win over Thailand in Bangkok later on Tuesday, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Mile Jedinak's disputed penalty saved Australia from an embarrassing defeat to Thailand as they came from behind to draw 2-2 on Tuesday.
Jedinak's second successful spot-kick of the night in the 65th minute rescued a point for the Asian champions, who slip out of the automatic qualifying places in Group B.
Thailand had tried to reschedule the game because of mourning for King Bhumibol Adulaydej, who died last month, but it went ahead with fans urged to adopt a respectful tone.
Many wore black and laid candles outside the stadium in memory of the king, but as a pulsating match unfolded — marked by three penalties — cheers and drums rang out.
Australia started briskly and they were rewarded with a penalty on eight minutes that was stroked home by their bearded captain Jedinak, of Aston Villa.
But Thailand struck back through star striker Teerasil Dangda, who bundled the ball into the net after a quick-fire move exposed the Socceroos' defensive frailties.
The goal galvanized the home side, with Thailand playing smooth patterns through the middle towards the constantly menacing Teerasil.
And just before the hour-mark, Mathew Leckie hacked down the home side's captain Theerathon Bunmathan as he charged into the penalty box.
Teerasil swept home the penalty, sparking delirium in the stands. But Thailand's 2-1 lead was short-lived as Jedinak also went down in the box under the merest of touches from Sirod Chatthong.
Despite Thailand's protests, Jedinak converted the penalty and the visitors came closest to a winner when Nathan Burns struck the bar with a fizzer of a shot from outside the box.
While Australia drop to third, Thailand stay rooted to the foot of the table despite earning their first point in what was an impressive display.
South Korea 2, Uzbekistan 1
In Seoul, Koo Ja-Cheol's late winner spared South Korea's blushes as the hosts came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
The FC Augsburg midfielder rifled home in the 85th minute, much to the relief of Korea's fans and coach Uli Steilike whose evening had threatened to end in disaster.
Marat Bikmaev had given the Uzbeks a shock lead but South Korea leveled through Nam Tae-Hee before Koo's clincher put them level on points with Group A leaders Iran, who play Syria later.
Bikmaev pounced on a defensive howler in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu had to charge out of his box to clear a loose ball, only for his effort to drop straight to the Uzbek.
And Bikmaev took his chance beautifully as his long-range chip sailed over the backpedalling Korean goalkeeper and defenders, and straight into the hosts' goal.
Uzbekistan then frustrated South Korea with some tight defending before Nam finally broke through in the 67th minute after a deep cross from Park Joo-Ho.
And with five minutes left, towering forward Kim Shin-Wook headed down a cross for Koo, who drove it past goalkeeper Aleksandr Lobanov to complete the comeback.
Iran 0, Syria 0
In another Group A encounter in Paroi, Malaysia, Iran and Syria plaed out a goalless draw in their qualifier on Tuesday.
China 0, Qatar 0
Marcello Lippi's hopes of leading China to the next World Cup received a serious blow when they were held 0-0 by Qatar in Kunming on Tuesday. Lippi is tasked with setting China on the road to football greatness but there was no dream start for the Italian in his first game in charge.
Instead China remain rooted to the foot of Group A with two points from five games and scant hopes of reaching Russia 2018 even with Lippi, who coached Italy to the 2006 World Cup title.
A packed Kunming crowd came with high expectations but Qatar's Andres Quintana caused early panic before his attempt from a corner went wide.
Jiang Zhipeng's long-range free kick nearly caught Qatari goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb napping before Wu Lei also drove a fierce shot narrowly off-target.
China continued to carve out chances after the break and Qatar had Al Sheeb's instinctive save to thank when he tipped Wu Xi's diving header over the bar.
Subsitute Cao Yunding hit the side netting but China were unable to craft the breakthrough against 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who stay second from bottom on five points.
Injured Rooney out of England's Spain test
Skipper Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of England's year-ending friendly against Spain at Wembley on Tuesday because of a knee problem, the English Football Association confirmed.
"The striker sat out this morning's session at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground as a precaution due to a minor knee injury," the FA said. "Rooney has been allowed to return to his club for further assessment."
England's interim manager Gareth Southgate had earlier said that Rooney would be rested from the starting line-up in any case, with Liverpool's Jordan Henderson filling in as captain.
Rooney returned to England's starting XI for Friday's 3-0 win over Scotland in World Cup qualifying, having started the previous game — a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia — on the bench.
Left-back Ryan Bertrand, who also missed training on Monday, remains in contention to feature in the game at Wembley.
Harry Kane had already been ruled out of Tuesday's match, the Tottenham striker having returned to his club as he continues his recovery from an ankle ligament problem.
The game against Spain is the fourth and final match of Southgate's tenure as interim manager, but he is expected to be offered the role full-time.
