In the China-Thailand clash, the teams' points, goal difference and total goals scored were surprisingly identical. Against China, they gained four points and one point respectively. This directly helped China advance to the top of the promotion ladder, while Thailand was just a step away. Even though Singapore bid farewell to the tournament early, they continued to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship until the end.
Group A results: Qatar 2-1 India; Kuwait 1-0 Afghanistan
Qatar showed early competitiveness in the group stage, while the remaining three teams all had a chance to qualify, making the group extremely competitive. In India's final match, the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium witnessed the event. Geert gave India the lead in the 37th minute before Yousuf Ayman equalized for Qatar in the 73rd minute. Qatar went back in front in the 85th minute when Ahmed Ravi added a second.
Kuwait faced Afghanistan at the Ali Salem Sabah Stadium for the right to go out on top. In the first half, Kuwait took the lead in the 81st minute with Ed Rashidi contributing immensely at the attacking end. With India failing to beat Qatar, Kuwait managed to advance after defeating Afghanistan to clinch a thrilling spot in the last 18, while India regretted their exit.
Group B results: Japan 5-0 Syria; North Korea 4-1 Myanmar
Japan clinched an early promotion spot, beating Syria by a large margin in the final round. With Syria now set on seven points, North Korea had a chance to advance. North Korea took on Myanmar at the New National Stadium in Laos in a match officiated by Chinese referee Shen Yinhao.
The North Koreans were outstanding. Ri Il Sung scored twice in the first half and Ri Zu Zu also scored a goal for a 3-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Wee Lin Aung pulled a goal back for Myanmar, but Ri Zu Zu sealed the win in the last minute. North Korea reached a total of nine points, surpassing Syria and advancing. After the fourth round, the point gap between North Korea and Syria reached four points.
Group D results: Malaysia 3-1 Chinese Taipei; Oman 1-1 Kyrgyzstan
In the last round, Kyrgyzstan drew with Malaysia and Oman advanced. Kyrgyzstan had a clear advantage in goal difference and the other place was not in doubt. In the final round, Malaysia beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 at home, but still trailed Kyrgyzstan by 6 goals on goal difference, and unfortunately went out. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan drew with Oman on the road, and the situation in the group was clear, with Kyrgyzstan advancing as the second place in the group.
Group F results: Indonesia 2-0 Philippines; Iraq vs Vietnam
Iraq has long since advanced, with Indonesia and Vietnam vying for the other spot. Indonesia beat the Philippines 2-0 at home at the Gloria Puncano Stadium, with Haye scoring in the 32nd and 56th minutes. Indonesia locked up second place in the group after three points to advance to the Round of 18, while Vietnam was eliminated.
Asian Zone 18 Preliminary: China, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, North Korea, Oman, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, Australia and Palestine.
