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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)
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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.

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Imane Khelif's Olympic Gold Inspires Algerian Girls to Take Up Boxing

FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)
FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)
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Imane Khelif's Olympic Gold Inspires Algerian Girls to Take Up Boxing

FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)
FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)

In the weeks since Algeria's Imane Khelif won an Olympic gold medal in women's boxing, athletes and coaches in the North African nation say national enthusiasm is inspiring newfound interest in the sport, particularly among women.
Khelif's image is practically everywhere, featured in advertisements at airports, on highway billboards and in boxing gyms, The Associated Press reported. The 25-year-old welterweight's success in Paris has vaulted her to national hero status, especially after Algerians rallied behind her in the face of uninformed speculation about her gender and eligibility to compete.
Amateur boxer Zougar Amina, a medical student who's been practicing for a year, called Khelif an idol and role model.
“Since I’ve been boxing, my personality has changed: I’m more confident, less stressed," she said, describing the sport as “therapy to fight shyness, to learn to defend myself, to gain self-confidence.”
In Ain Taya, the seaside town east of Algiers where Amina boxes, what local media have termed “Khelifmania” is on full display.
Behind a door wallpapered with a large photograph of the gold medalist, punching bags hang from the ceiling of the local gym, and young girls warm up near a boxing ring surrounded by shelves of masks, gloves and mouth guards.
The 23 young women and girls who train at the gym — an old converted church — all dream of becoming the next Khelif, their coach Malika Abassi said.
Abassi said the women imitate Khelif's post-win celebrations, hopping around the boxing ring and saluting fans. She's worried that the interest in boxing will grow so rapidly that her gym won't be able to handle it.
“We’re getting calls from parents wanting to sign up their daughters," she said. "I’m the only coach and our gym is small.”
Algerians from all walks of life flocked to squares in the country's major cities to watch Khelif's matches broadcast on projectors. Noureddine Bouteldja, a former amateur boxer and sports journalist, said Khelif has transcended boxing and become a “social phenomenon” throughout Algeria thanks to her personal story and the scrutiny she faced from famous people around the world who — unlike Algerians — saw her advancing in the Olympics as part of the culture war over sex, gender and sport.
Algerians rallied behind Khelif in the face of criticism from Donald Trump, Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling and others who falsely claimed she was transgender. They largely interpreted attacks on her as attacks on their nation itself. And unlike much of the international community that coalesced behind Khelif, on social media most couldn't register the thought of a transgender athlete from Algeria.
“It’s the victory of a woman who has shown extraordinary resilience and phenomenal strength of character in the face of the campaign to denigrate her gender," Bouteldja said.
Boxing coaches and administrators said Khelif's rise from a poor child in rural central Algeria to worldwide fame has made her an inspirational figure. Mourad Meziane, head of the Algerian Boxing League, expects a huge spike in registration among young women at the start of this school year in mid-September.
Algeria currently has 30 regional boxing leagues and 10,000 athletes participating nationwide, he said.
“The impact is inevitable and will only be very positive for women’s boxing in Algeria," Meziane said.