Asia's big three all win comfortably in World Cup qualifiers

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Japan, Australia, and South Korea enjoyed comfortable wins in Asia qualifying for the 2018 World Cup on Thursday.

European-based Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida scored Japan's second and third goals in a 3-0 win in Singapore to put them on top of Group E, above Syria.

Son Heung-min came off the bench to provide two assists as South Korea took apart Myanmar 4-0.

Australia bounced back from October's loss in Jordan to defeat Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in Canberra, and move within a point of Jordan.

Only the eight group winners are certain to progress to the final round of qualification. The four best runners-up also advance.