Asian champion Australia struck three past Kyrgyzstan and South Korea notched four against Myanmar as the continent's elite enjoyed another straight forward night in World Cup qualifying Thursday. Four-times Asian champions Japan also enjoyed a comfortable outing as they dispatched Singapore 3-0 away to go top of Group E, while Iran head Group D after beating Turkmenistan 3-1 in Tehran. However, the biggest winners on the seventh match day in the second round of Asian qualifiers were China, which smacked neighbor Bhutan 12-0 in Changsha with Shandong Luneng striker Yang Xu scoring four. China remains third in Group C on 10 points after Hong Kong edged Maldives 1-0 away to stay second on 13, two behind Qatar. The 2022 World Cup host has won all five of its matches in the group, a feat matched only by perennial qualifiers South Korea which could afford to miss a penalty in an easy 4-0 win over Myanmar. With second place Kuwait under a FIFA ban and its participation in doubt, a victory over lowly Laos Tuesday could be enough for South Korea to book a spot at the 2019 Asian Cup. The winners of the eight groups and four best runners-up will also advance through to the next stage of the long road to Russia 2018, where Asia will have at least four representatives. Japan looks all but assured of topping its group after recording a fourth straight win in Group E against opponent which had somehow held it to a goalless draw in Saitama in June to start the campaign. Mu Kanazaki celebrated his return to the fold after a five-year absence with his first goal for Japan and Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida added further strikes. Australia has a tougher fight in Group B where a 3-0 success over Kyrgyzstan left it one point back of leader Jordan, which the Socceroos host in its final group match in March. Skipper Mile Jedinak scored the opener in Canberra Thursday from the penalty spot as the Socceroos, led by an impressive display from Aaron Mooy, showed no hangover from last month's loss to Jordan in Amman. The Socceroos now travel to Dhaka for Tuesday's match against Bangladesh, which was smashed 5-0 by Tajikistan Thursday. Elsewhere, Thailand maintained its stranglehold of Group F by coming from behind to beat Taiwan 4-2 at home, while Yemen halted its run of five straight defeats in Group H by edging Philippines 1-0 in Manila. North Korea still leads the group but Uzbekistan cut the gap to one point after coming from behind to win 3-1 in Tashkent. Meanwhile, India recorded its first win after five straight defeats when it pipped Guam 1-0 in Bangalore. A goal by Robin Singh in the 10th minute was enough to give India a revenge win over the tiny Western Pacific islanders who had won their first leg clash in Group D. India, which is at the bottom of the table despite the win, played with just 10 men after Sehnaj Singh was sent off in the 41st minute for a dangerous tackle. There were big wins for United Arab Emirates and Palestine in Group A. While UAE thrashed East Timor 8-0 thanks to four goals by Ahmed Khalil, Palestine drubbed Malaysia 6-0 with Ahmed Nayea notching up a hat trick. Saudi Arabia leads the group with 13 points from five matches, while the UAE is second on 10. In Group G, Lebanon had it easy over Laos, winning 7-0. Narrow wins for Mozambique, Zambia Southern Africa countries Mozambique and Zambia established 1-0 first-leg leads Wednesday through contrasting goals in 2018 World Cup second round qualifiers. An unstoppable 55th-minute drive by Helder Pelembe from just outside the box earned the Mozambican Mambas (Snakes) a 1-0 victory over Gabon at Estadio Zimpeto in Maputo. At the other end of the continent, a defensive mix-up by Sudan at Karima Stadium north of Khartoum gifted Winston Kalengo a 28th-minute winner for 2012 African champions Zambia. Victory installs Zambia as favorite to qualify after the second leg in Ndola Sunday and reach the five-group third round with the winners qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.
