Australia and Vietnam were just the two winners from ASEAN on the night as the other nations fell by the wayside on the third matchday of the second round qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Australia made it a perfect record with a 5-0 thrashing of Nepal at home to make it two for two in Group B as Vietnam picked up their first win from two matches in Group G after beating neighbours Malaysia 1-0 at the My Dinh National Stadium.
In the match that was played at the GIO Stadium in Canberra, James Maclaren grabbed a hat trick with goals in the sixth, 19th and 90th minute as Harry Soutar added two more (24th and 69th minute) for Australia’s comprehensive victory.
“We created a lot of chances, but we got to be a bit more ruthless when it counts,” said Australia coach Graham Arnold. “Overall, I’m very happy.”
In Hanoi, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai struck in a wonder strike in the 40th minute to beat Malaysia 1-0 as Vietnam picked up their first full points in two matches played.
They had held Thailand to a scoreless draw in their opening game of Group G last month in Bangkok.
Elsewhere, it was really a night to forget for teams from ASEAN as Iran overwhelmed Cambodia 14-0 at the Azadi Stadium and Kyrgyzstan whipped Myanmar 7-0 at the Spartak Stadium.
Unitd Arab Emirates overcame Indonesia 5-0 at the Al-Maktoum Stadium and Saudi Arabia knocked in three past Singapore at the King Abdullah International Stadium.
The fourth matchday of the second round qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2022 will be played on 15 October 2019.
