World Cup qualifiers: Second-leg for Asian teams promises immense action

A total of 10 World Cup qualifiers will take place tomorrow.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 cast will be known on Tuesday with the conclusion of Round 1.

While several teams took a huge step towards advancing with impressive first leg results, there is still all to play for in some ties. 

Guam (1) v (2) Singapore

Singapore had ample opportunities to put the tie beyond doubt but poor finishing by the Lions and Jason Cunliffe’s 90th minute goal means Guam are very much still in the race to advance to the next round.

Guam head coach Ross Awa is hoping home ground advantage can take his team through but his Singapore counterpart Takayuki Nishigaya believes Singapore will not surrender their first leg advantage.

Mongolia (0) v (1) Afghanistan

Expect Mongolia to hit the ground running with just a goal separating the two sides.

Afghanistan, however, are not likely to be intimidated and will aim for an early goal to douse Mongolia's hopes. 

Pakistan (0) v (0) Cambodia

Another tie that is set to be a thriller after the first leg failed to separate the two sides.

Pakistan will start as favourites but Cambodia, having dominated the first leg, will be up for the challenge. 

Sri Lanka (0) v (3) Yemen

Yemen were at their best in the first leg, taking a healthy lead but head coach Miroslav Soukup has warned his charges against complacency.

Sri Lanka will aim for a better performance, having struggled to cope with Yemen last week. 

Timor-Leste (0) v (4) Chinese Taipei

There will be no room for error for Timor-Leste, with the Southeast Asian side chasing a heavy deficit.

Chinese Taipei will not take risks and with Timor-Leste opting to play the return leg in Kaohsiung City, the East Asians will be content to defend their lead.

Macau (1) v (5) Myanmar

Myanmar head coach Michael Feichtenbeiner believes his team have done enough to secure qualification but Macau will be determined to pull themselves back into the tie.

The East Asian side held their own for the first 45 minutes and if they can score early, a fightback may well be on the cards. 

Bangladesh (1) v (1) Maldives

Having walked away with a share of the spoils after equalising in added time, Bangladesh will be confident of getting the job done at home.

Maldives, however, will feel they have the quality to overcome the odds - setting the stage for a thriller in Dhaka. 

Bhutan (0) v (4) Hong Kong, China 

Hong Kong, China were in top form in the opening 45 minutes of the first leg and it does seem that Jorn Andersen's side will advance.

Bhutan head coach Pema Dorji, however, believes his team's second half performance and playing at home gives the South Asian side a genuine chance to overcome the 4-0 deficit. 

Laos (1) v (1) Nepal

Laos will aim to get the job done when they host Nepal in Vientiane, having taken the lead before settling for a share of the spoils last week.

The Southeast Asians impressed in the first leg and will make thing difficult for Nepal side who failed to maximise home ground advantage last Thursday. 

Brunei Darussalam (0) v (6) Indonesia

Shin Tae-yong demanded improvement from his Indonesia side and it could well be another tough 90 minutes for Brunei Darussalam.

They struggled to deal with Indonesia's aggression and pace in the first leg and will need a solid game plan to stop their Southeast Asian rivals.