Afghanistan edge past Mongolia in World Cup Qualifiers

Sharza scored the only goal of the match

Afghanistan walked away from the Republican Central Stadium in Tajikistan with a valuable 1-0 victory over Mongolia in the first leg of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 on Thursday.

Playing in their adopted home ground in the neighbouring Dushanbe, Afghanistan had their first chance of the game in the 26th minute when captain Farshad Noor curled a set-piece into the box, with the ball passing everyone but ending up just off target.

Mongolia thought they had taken the lead when Tsend-Ayush Khurelbaatar’s out-swinging corner was met by a flying header from Munkh-Orgil Orkhon that beat the Afghan goalkeeper but bounced off the crossbar and back into play.

Noor was again the danger man for Afghanistan, delivering a cross from the right that was met by an attempt to hit it on the volley at the far post from Mosawer Ahadi, but his ball went wide.

Afghanistan came racing out of the blocks at the start of the second half and after a quick exchange of passes down the left, substitute Jabar Sharza struck on the half-volley with his left, drawing an exceptional save from Mongolian goalkeeper Ariunbold Batsaikhan to deny him.

A minute later, Batsaikhan was left in no man’s land as Omid Musawi dribbled past him, but with the net staring him in the face, he failed to take his chance, instead hitting the post.

The Afghan goal finally arrived through Sharza after Omid Popalzay’s cross from the right was nodded by Ahadi and the substitute striker followed through to send it into the back of the net for his side’s winner.

Mongolia’s hopes of a comeback received a blow after captain Khurelbaatar was shown a straight red card for a tackle from behind on Afghanistan’s Ahadi in the 79th minute.