Australia Advance to Asian Cup Knockout Stage after Beating Syria

Australia's Jackson Irvine fights for the ball against Syria's Antonio Yakoub during the Asian Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Syria at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
Australia's Jackson Irvine fights for the ball against Syria's Antonio Yakoub during the Asian Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Syria at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
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Australia Advance to Asian Cup Knockout Stage after Beating Syria

Australia's Jackson Irvine fights for the ball against Syria's Antonio Yakoub during the Asian Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Syria at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
Australia's Jackson Irvine fights for the ball against Syria's Antonio Yakoub during the Asian Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Syria at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

Jackson Irvine delivered again as Australia booked its place in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup in Doha on Thursday by beating Syria 1-0.
The midfielder scored for the second straight game to maintain the Socceroos' 100% start in Group B.
Australia won the title when hosting the tournament in 2015 and tops the group on six points.
Irvine struck the winner when he turned inside the area and flicked a shot past Syria goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh in the 59th minute at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. He had scored the opening goal in his team's 2-0 win against India on Saturday.
The closest Syria came to scoring was when Pablo Sabbag fired powerfully against the post early on.
UZBEKISTAN WINS
Uzbekistan put itself in position to join Australia in the next round after a 3-0 win against bottom team India.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Igor Sergeev and Sherzod Nasrullaev all scored in the first half to effectively seal the win before the break.
There is still plenty to play for in the group.
Second-placed Uzbekistan is on four points going into its final game against Australia on Tuesday and would go top with a win. A draw would be enough to guarantee it advances as runner-up.
Syria could also move onto four points if it beats India. That might be enough to see it progress to the next stage as one of the best third-placed teams, even if it doesn't overtake Uzbekistan.
There is still a chance India could advance as one of the best third-place teams if it beats Syria.



Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
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Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)

Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Merino's first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium and saw second-placed Arsenal move within 12 points of leader Liverpool.

In another all-London clash, Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.

Arsenal's title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but it closed the gap on Liverpool, which was playing Newcastle in the English League Cup final later in the day.

Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard's near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Mikel Arteta's team since February 15.

Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four time defending champion City.

Spurs blow

Another setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou heading into the international break.

Spurs, in 14th, have only won one of their last five in all competitions and this was a 15th league defeat of the season.

Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the lead in the 78th at Craven Cottage and Ryan Sessegnon doubled the home team's lead 10 minutes later.

Fulham is eighth and four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place.