Kuala Lumpur: The third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 produced plenty of drama and unforgettable moments, but nothing captures the imagination of fans quite like the goals.
From some brilliant team moves to stunning individual efforts, we have shortlisted 18 spectacular goals from the qualifiers and it’s your turn now to vote for your Goal of the Round – presented by Visa – to crown the winner from the third round.
Lee Kang-in (Korea Republic) vs Kuwait
Lee Kang-in showed his sharp instincts as Korea Republic wrapped up their campaign with a dominant 4-0 win against Kuwait. The 24-year-old was slipped into the box by Bae Jun-ho and with the angle closing, Lee could have crossed but chose to shoot across goalkeeper Sulaiman Abdulghafoor into the far bottom corner.
Azizbek Turgunboev (Uzbekistan) vs Qatar
Azizbek Turgunboev capped off Uzbekistan’s historic qualification campaign with a magnificent strike in a 3-0 win over Qatar in Tashkent. Picking up the ball on the right flank, the 30-year-old drove past two Qatari defenders before unleashing a thunderous left-foot strike that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.
Ole Romenij (Indonesia) vs Bahrain
Oman finished fourth in Group B to reach the fourth round and their 1-0 win over Kuwait, courtesy of Issam Al Sabhi’s goal, was key to their progress. The 28-year-old made a well-timed run into the box to meet Amjad Al Harthi’s inch-perfect cross from the right and head home to secure victory.
Mehdi Taremi (Islamic Republic of Iran) vs Uzbekistan
Mehdi Taremi finished as the third round’s joint top scorer with five goals and his double against Uzbekistan helped secure Islamic Republic of Iran’s place in the FIFA World Cup. Combining with Sardar Azmoun in the box, Taremi planted a spectacular volley into the back of the net to help Team Melli secure the vital point.
Ameed Mahajneh (Palestine) vs Iraq
The timing and significance of Ameed Mahajneh’s dramatic winner against Iraq made it one of the most iconic goals in Palestine’s footballing history. With their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread, the centre-back headed in Adam Kaied’s 97th-minute corner to seal a historic comeback victory for the Palestinians.
Issam Al Sabhi (Oman) vs Kuwait
Oman finished fourth in Group B to reach the fourth round and their 1-0 win over Kuwait, courtesy of Issam Al Sabhi’s goal, was key to their progress. The 28-year-old made a well-timed run into the box to meet Amjad Al Harthi’s inch-perfect cross from the right and head home to secure victory.
Yazan Al Naimat (Jordan) vs Kuwait
Yazan Al Naimat played a pivotal role in Jordan booking a FIFA World Cup berth for the very first time. In November, he rode past not one but two challenges from Kuwait defenders before curling a shot into the top corner to score one of his five goals during the third round.
Fabio Lima (United Arab Emirates) vs Qatar
Goals from direct free-kicks are a thing of beauty and Fabio Lima’s strike against Qatar ranks right up there, as he lifted his effort over the wall and into the top corner. What makes it even more special is the fact that it was just one of the four goals the United Arab Emirates star scored that night.
Mahdi Abduljabbar (Bahrain) vs Australia
Bahrain substitute Mahdi Abduljabbar needed just nine minutes on the pitch to make an impact against Australia in Riffa. Spotting goalkeeper Mathew Ryan off his line, he unleashed a first-time strike from nearly 40 yards out that looped over the shot-stopper and into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Mohammad Daham (Kuwait) vs Jordan
Mohammad Daham emerged as the saviour for Kuwait as they recovered to gain a point against visitors Jordan last November. With his side trailing, Daham was afforded space outside the box and struck a stinging shot that squeezed past the Jordan goalkeeper to help the hosts earn a point.
Aymen Hussein (Iraq) vs Korea Republic
Worthy of any highlight reel, Aymen Hussein’s eye-catching strike against Korea Republic was among the four goals the Iraq striker netted in the third round. After some nice work in the box, Amjad Attwan crossed towards the middle where Hussein produced an acrobatic overhead finish for his 30th goal for the country.
Craig Goodwin (Australia) vs China PR
It was a difficult start to the third round for Australia as they collected just one point from their first two outings. But Craig Goodwin helped the Socceroos back onto the right track with an unstoppable strike from 25 yards out to guide his nation to a 3-1 win against China PR in his hometown of Adelaide.
Zhang Yuning (China PR) vs Indonesia
China PR’s first win in Group C came against Indonesia and saw one of the best goals of the third round. Gao Zhunyi’s visionary pass with the outside of his foot split the Indonesian defence and Zhang Yuning ran onto the delightful assist before applying a calm and composed finish for the winner.
Almoez Ali (Qatar) vs Islamic Republic of Iran
Qatar turned defence into attack in a flash to score against Islamic Republic of Iran early in their meeting last October. Only 17 minutes in, Lucas Mendes played a long ball to release Almoez Ali, who struck a first-time stunner from a tight angle to pierce the net.
Alimardon Shukurov (Kyrgyz Republic) vs Qatar
Kyrgyz Republic failed to advance in the qualifiers but their midfielder Alimardon Shukurov produced a moment of magic that will be remembered for a long time. Shukurov expertly brought under control a cross from captain Valery Kichin before scoring with a thunderous strike against Qatar.
Hassan Kadish (Saudi Arabia) vs China PR
Playing with 10 men and behind by an own goal, things were not looking up for Saudi Arabia against China PR until Hassan Kadis stepped up. His first-half header restored parity and just when a draw was on the horizon, he came up with another thumping header from a corner to gift a remarkable win for the Saudis.
Takumi Minamino (Japan) vs China PR
Japan’s campaign began with a stunning 7-0 win over China PR. After scoring early in the second half, Takumi Minamino struck again six minutes later. Surrounded by defenders, the AS Monaco attacking midfielder still found space for a smart finish to assert Japan’s dominance.
Kang Kuk Chol (DPR Korea) vs Qatar
Conditions were not favourable for either side as DPR Korea and Qatar met in Laos last September in the AFC Asian Qualifiers. But in a rain-soaked game and with his side trailing, Kang Kuk Chol powered a brilliant free-kick from almost 35 yards out, giving goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham no chance of saving.
