FAVOURITES EXPECT TOUGH TESTS

Japan, South Korea will not underestimate underdogs on road to 2026 World Cup

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HONG KONG - Japan can take a major step towards the 2026 World Cup Finals over the next week if they can negotiate two away tests, at Indonesia and China, in five days.

Son Heung-min's South Korea will also look to close in on a spot at the showpiece event in North America as they travel to Kuwait on Nov 14 and then face Palestine in Jordan on Nov 19.

Meanwhile, Herve Renard, who masterminded a famous victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, takes charge of Saudi Arabia for the first time since returning to the job.

But the spotlight will be on an estimated crowd of 78,000, who will pack out the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta in hope of seeing the world No. 130 hosts pull off a shock against world No. 15 Japan on Nov 15.

Hajime Moriyasu's Samurai Blue will then need to face another hostile crowd when they travel to Xiamen on Nov 19 to play world No. 92 China.