DUBAI – Qatar defender Lucas Mendes has called on his teammates to make rapid improvements to revive their challenge for a place at the 2026 World Cup after the back-to-back Asian Cup winners slumped to a 4-1 defeat by Iran in Dubai on Oct 15.

Sardar Azmoun and Mohammad Mohebi each scored twice as Iran fought back from Almoez Ali’s strike into the roof of the net to maintain their challenge for a seventh World Cup appearance.

The loss leaves the Qataris on four points from four games, six adrift of Iran and Uzbekistan, who occupy the two automatic qualifying spots in Group A, and at risk of missing out once again on a place at the Finals.

“It’s a bad start from us, but still we have six games. We need to change our level. Many mistakes, we need to improve,” said Brazil-born Mendes, who set up Ali for the opener in the 17th minute.

Qatar have never qualified for the World Cup, only securing their place at the 2022 tournament as hosts. The closest the nation has come to progressing through the preliminaries was ahead of France 1998, when Saudi Arabia emerged from their final round qualifying group.

Said coach Marquez Lopez: “The opportunity is still there, although the group includes good teams such as Uzbekistan and Iran. The mission is not easy, but the opportunity to qualify is available and we have to fight for our chances until the last breath.”

The top two finishers in each of Asia’s three qualifying groups advance to the World Cup, while the third- and fourth-placed nations progress to a further round of preliminaries.

Qatar next host Uzbekistan on Nov 14. Third-placed United Arab Emirates are also on four points, one point ahead of Kyrgyzstan, who are fifth.

Said Azmoun: “It was a really easy game for us. We didn’t expect that the game would go like that.”

While Lopez comes under pressure, there were reprieves for his China and South Korea counterparts.

There were no boos for Hong Myung-bo as South Korea won a thriller of a World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Yongin on Oct 15, and it looks like the coach has ridden out the storm of his controversial appointment.

Hong was jeered before, in September, during and after the 0-0 draw with Palestine in the opening match of the third phase of Asian qualifying, his first game in charge since he replaced Jurgen Klinsmann as coach in July.

Later that month, Hong testified in front of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of South Korea’s parliament, where he denied his appointment was the result of preferential treatment from the Korea Football Association.

Away wins in Oman and Jordan, followed by the 3-2 victory in a clash of the top two in Group B, however, have set the Taegeuk Warriors firmly on course for an 11th straight appearance at the Finals.

“In terms of organisation and chemistry, players in the starting line-up did a great job,” Hong said, according to the Yonhap news agency.

“And it was also great to see substitutes make sacrifices themselves. I think that kind of culture is taking root in this team and we’re learning as we go forward.”

Oh Se-hun, 25, opened the scoring just before the break and 23-year-old Oh Hyeon-gyu came off the bench to add South Korea’s second, before veteran Lee Jae-sung headed home the third.

Aymen Hussein and Ibrahim Bayesh found the net for Iraq.

A relaxed Hong even had time for a joke after the match when asked about the support of the crowd.

“I don’t know why people didn’t boo,” he quipped with a smile.

Meanwhile, under-fire China coach Branko Ivankovic paid tribute to the commitment of his players, and the support of the Qingdao crowd after his team snapped a four-match losing streak with a win over Indonesia.

The 2-1 win in front of a passionate red-clad crowd of 37,000 at Qingdao Youth Football Stadium revived hopes that China might be able to qualify for the Finals for the second time, even though they remain bottom of Group C.

Behram Abduweli put China ahead in the 21st minute and Zhang Yuning doubled the lead just before the break, before Thom Haye pulled one back for Indonesia late on.

Said Ivankovic: “I want to thank the players for their dedication in this game… The fans created a very good atmosphere and gave us a lot of support.” REUTERS