Australia Stunned by Bahrain in World Cup Qualifying as Palestinians Draw with South Korea 

Abdulla Al-Khalasi of Bahrain (R) reacts after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Third Round Asian Qualifier match between Australia and Bahrain at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, 05 September 2024. (EPA)
Abdulla Al-Khalasi of Bahrain (R) reacts after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Third Round Asian Qualifier match between Australia and Bahrain at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, 05 September 2024. (EPA)
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Australia Stunned by Bahrain in World Cup Qualifying as Palestinians Draw with South Korea 

Abdulla Al-Khalasi of Bahrain (R) reacts after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Third Round Asian Qualifier match between Australia and Bahrain at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, 05 September 2024. (EPA)
Abdulla Al-Khalasi of Bahrain (R) reacts after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Third Round Asian Qualifier match between Australia and Bahrain at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, 05 September 2024. (EPA)

Australia fell to a shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain at home in the opening game of the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

Meanwhile, South Korea was held to 0-0 by the Palestinians in Seoul.

Despite losing all six previous games against Australia, Bahrain won thanks to an own goal from Harry Souttar with a minute remaining on the Gold Coast.

Abdulla Al-Khalasi’s cross from the left side of the area hit the defender and flew past goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

Australia dominated the game but was reduced to 10 men when Kusini Yengi was red-carded after 77 minutes for a reckless tackle.

“It's not the way that we want to start our campaign, a loss at home, but we have to go away and improve,” Australia winger Craig Goodwin said. “We have to look at the positives. This is the first game, there are nine games to go.”

Bahrain is second in Group C behind Japan, which thrashed China 7-0 in Saitama.

First-half headers from midfielder Wataru Endo and winger Kaoru Mitoma put Japan in control by the break.

Then Takumi Minamino scored twice in quick succession and Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda and Takefusa Kubo also found the target to make it a painful evening for China.

Also in Group C, Saudi Arabia was held to a 1-1 draw by Indonesia in Jeddah. Ragnar Oratmangoen scored for Indonesia, but Musab Al-Juwayr equalized before the break for Roberto Mancini’s team. Salem Al-Dawsari missed a late penalty.

The 18 teams remaining in Asian qualification have been divided into three groups of six. The top two from each qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup while the six teams that finish in third and fourth will advance to the fourth round where there are two more places on offer.

South Korea last missed out on the World Cup in 1982 and got off to a poor start in Group B due to the Palestinians.

South Korea missed chance after chance — captain Son Heung-min hit the post — but could not find a way through a determined defense from a visitor that has never reached this stage before.

The Palestinians almost snatched what would have been a stunning victory in added time. Through on goal, Wessam Abou Ali's shot was saved by Jo Hyun-woo.

“It was a difficult match, but we were able to come away with a good result because we brought all the players that we could get our hands on,” Palestinian coach Makram Daboub said. “I am extremely happy to bring joy to our fans in Palestine.”

Iraq is above Korea in Group B after a 1-0 win over Oman in Basra while Jordan drew 1-1 with Kuwait.

Iran got off to a winning start in Group A, defeating Kyrgyzstan 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi. Uzbekistan is level on three points after a 1-0 victory over North Korea.

United Arab Emirates is top of the group with a 3-1 win at Asian champion Qatar.



Alcaraz Out as Top Players Pay Tribute to Nadal at Shanghai Masters

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz hits a return to Czech Republic's Tomas Machac during their men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz hits a return to Czech Republic's Tomas Machac during their men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
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Alcaraz Out as Top Players Pay Tribute to Nadal at Shanghai Masters

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz hits a return to Czech Republic's Tomas Machac during their men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz hits a return to Czech Republic's Tomas Machac during their men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)

World number two Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in straight sets by 33rd-ranked Tomas Machac on Thursday, losing 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.

The Czech will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, after a surprisingly straightforward 6-1, 6-4 victory over an injured Daniil Medvedev earlier.

Alcaraz's match came shortly after his idol and compatriot Rafael Nadal announced he would retire after the Davis Cup finals in November.

"Honestly I couldn't believe it," said Alcaraz, but insisted it hadn't affected his playing.

"Thankfully I saw it one hour before the match, so I had time to accept it and forget it."

The 21-year-old told reporters that to see Nadal "leave tennis, which is what he loves, is painful", adding it was "difficult news for everyone".

Sinner for his part called the Spaniard an "unbelievable person" as he spoke about the positive impact Nadal had on young players like himself.

"It's tough news for all the tennis world and not only (the tennis world)," he said.

- 'Unbelievable' -

The bad news continued for Alcaraz as he was stunned by 23-year-old Machac's hard-hitting pace.

"His level was so high, I thought he was going to give me a window of opportunity, but he didn't... It was unbelievable. It was crazy for me," the four-time Grand Slam champion said afterwards.

The Czech edged him out in a closely fought first-set tiebreak after neither player was able to break their opponent's serve, AFP reported.

The Spaniard looked like he might make a comeback when he broke in the sixth game of the second set to level.

However, Machac powered through and broke Alcaraz again in the 11th game to claim the shock victory and progress to the semi-finals.

"I knew that against Alcaraz I have to play at this level to have a chance to win," said Machac, saying there were "no other options".

He said he would try more of the same against Sinner.

"He's playing unbelievable tennis... but I'm really looking forward to the challenge, so I will enjoy it," Machac said.

- Sinner takes advantage -

Sinner, who Alcaraz beat in the China Open final last week, looked strong from the beginning of his match against Medvedev.

This was the fifth time the two have met in the latter stages of tournaments this year, and the Italian has won four of those clashes.

In the first set, which lasted only 25 minutes, the Italian broke Medvedev in the second and sixth games to murmurs of surprise from the crowd.

The Russian kept holding his shoulder, which he had said the day before had "some niggles", and received medical attention several times during the match.

"The energy of a winner, I would say today I didn't have it unfortunately because of my physical condition," said Medvedev.

"And that's going to be the focus to try to get it back."

"He didn't play at his best," said Sinner, acknowledging the injury.

"But this can happen and I took advantage of that today. I felt like I was playing some good tennis, especially the first set, trying to keep going in the second set. It was a good performance from my side."